The US Senate committee on intelligence, established on 19 May 1976 to provide permanent oversight of the intelligence agencies.
According to the Senate Historical Office, the committee initially had 15 members and was given exclusive budgetary and legislative authority over the CIA; it shared oversight of military intelligence with the Armed Services Committee and of the FBI with the Judiciary Committee. The eight-year limit on membership was abolished in 2004.1
The direct impetus was the Church Committee’s investigation into abuses by the intelligence agencies.2
Sources
- US Senate, Senate Historical Office, The Senate Creates the Select Committee on Intelligence
- US Senate, Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities (Church Committee)
Checked: 4 November 2026