Bill > HR7435

This bill, titled the "DHS Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office and Ombuds Act," proposes to establish a new office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) called the Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office, which will be led by an Intelligence Ombuds. The Ombuds will be a senior, career employee with expertise in intelligence, civil rights enforcement, and addressing issues of timeliness, objectivity, and political influence in intelligence activities. This office's primary functions will be to review and assess DHS intelligence activities for timeliness, objectivity, and independence from political considerations, and to help make information about these activities publicly available to enhance public understanding, while still protecting national security. The Ombuds will serve as the main advisor on safeguarding objectivity and political independence in intelligence work, promote awareness of privacy and civil rights protections in intelligence activities, and provide confidential forums for individuals to raise concerns about intelligence operations, including potential abuses or politicization, without fear of retaliation. The Ombuds will also have the authority to initiate reviews and make recommendations to intelligence components within DHS, and intelligence component heads will be required to formally respond to these recommendations. Furthermore, the Ombuds will have access to all necessary departmental information to perform their duties and will submit annual reports to relevant congressional committees detailing their activities, findings, and recommendations. The bill defines "intelligence activity" broadly to include the collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of information related to homeland security, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction.