Although the FY09 budget is still making its way through the various appropriations committees, some lawmakers are pushing for the creation of a new appropriations subcommittee focused on intelligence spending.

On September 11, in a speech on the Senate floor to observe the 7th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) introduced a Senate Resolution to create an Intelligence Appropriations Subcommittee. His motivation is to follow what he calls one of the most important recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, which was to increase oversight of spending within the intelligence community. In a news release on his website, Senator Bond stresses the need for more insight into how taxpayer dollars are being spent within the intel community.

Much of the spending within intelligence agencies is classified, which makes it extremely difficult for contractors to find an entrypoint for offering technology solutions. Would increased oversight in the form of a dedicated subcommittee mean more information about IT spending? While this new subcommittee probably wouldn't offer the level of insight into spending that we see for other agencies - many of the missions are still classified after all - but it could bring more information about technology priorities and needs to light, as well as reveal the effectiveness and management of technology investments.

With the heightened concerns about national security as well as government spending, this resolution may have a fair shot at coming to fruition.

More details about the proposed resolution: