Congress Turns to Intel Committees as Members Seek Details on Data Collection

Members of Congress have access to intelligence, but without the aid of staff or counsel because it’s classified. So, deciphering the material can be challenging.

As revelations about the government’s collection of phone and Internet data emerge, Members’ reactions suggest how far removed some rank-and-file members have been from overseeing the programs even as members of the influential House and Senate Intelligence committees vouch for the intelligence community and argue they carry out sufficient oversight. The committees, through their chairmen and ranking members, are taking on a prominent role in explaining the government’s programs, in part because until Edward Snowden’s leak, they had been secret, but also because the committees are charged with overseeing the intelligence community and members are eager to point out that they’re doing their job.