Seriously, most Americans--and evidently most members of Congress--don't realize how big a deal this is. Giving Congress oversight of intelligence was the major reform of the Church Committee (1975) in response to Watergate. The shutdown-ending CR undermined that. 2/x
-
-
Show this thread
-
Intelligence reform and organization of the federal bureaucracy is one of those things most people don't pay much attention to, but it's a really big deal We authorize intelligence agencies to do shady things on our behalf, which citizens, military, cops aren't supposed to do 3/x
Show this thread -
Nixon used intel agencies as his personal goons. That led to the Church committee reforms, which gave Congress oversight powers. I know many Americans still criticize CIA, NSA and the other US intelligence agencies--FYI, there are 17--but Church reforms greatly improved them. 4/x
Show this thread -
At the request of the Office of Management and Budget, headed by Mick Mulvaney, the shutdown-ending continuing resolution included language authorizing the executive branch to spend money on intelligence that wasn't explicitly authorized by Congress. 5/x
Show this thread -
Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member Mark Warner (D-VA), and Appropriations Committee Chair Thad Cochran (R-MS) have all objected. But somehow, this authoritarian power grab passed anyway. Seems Congress wasn't really paying attention. 6/x
Show this thread -
This shows how badly Democrats messed up the shutdown fight They accepted CR + CHIP deal that was on the table pre-shutdown, and kicked the rest down the road, while somehow giving Trump allies cover for this dangerous intelligence reform Details here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article196056449.html … 7/x
Show this thread -
The one saving grace: Congress abdicated its full intelligence oversight responsibilities and allowed the Trump administration to fund unauthorized activities only as long as this CR lasts, through Feb. 8. Congress must not allow this power grab into the next funding bill. (END)
Show this thread -
Tweet 6/8 says Cochran joined Burr and Warner in objecting to the CR's intel funding provision. Cochran actually objected to Burr and Warner's objection, thus preventing the consensus necessary to change it. The rest of the thread is accurate. Apologies for the confusion.
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
Who are you speaking to?
-
I'm writing this for everyone. But if you mean the "you" in "What's wrong with you?" I'm directing that at the Members of Congress who voted for this sneaky intelligence reform inserted into the continuing resolution.
-
Oh I was wondering why you didn't address it to your congressman or senator . Thank you for writing this, I am calling my reps tomorrow
-
Part is me venting my frustration. And part is informing anyone I can, because our collective voice--and this really should be non-partisan--is much louder than mine alone.
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
What in the hole in the ground??!! This is disgusting! Can you give the source?
-
Link in tweet 7/8 in the thread.
-
Just saw that. Have a habit of ignoring images. Thanks for posting this.
-
My pleasure. Thanks for sharing. The issue's not getting nearly as much attention as it should.
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
Nicholas, is there anywhere you have this written down so I can copy to show my husband? Or maybe you can paste it to my private messages on here, twitter. Then no cc'g it. Better.
-
Anywhere I wrote it besides here? No. But you can copy the tweets onto a document if you want. And a link to a report on the intel provision of the CR is in tweet 7/8 of the thread.
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
How do you think trump & co plan to use it between now & Feb 8th? The trump Russia investigation? Their enemies? Immigrants? Info on voters or others? Hope someone can figure it out.
-
I think investigating political enemies & gathering as much on the Mueller investigation as possible. We are advancing warp speed into authoritarian rule. Putin & Erdogan style.

-
Agree with you Jan. Time to take to the streets. However the media barely covered us taking to the streets on Saturday. Maybe that was the intent of the shutdown.
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.