A fiscal 2017 intelligence spending bill the House approved Thursday contains a provision that would transfer some of the U.S. Air Force‘s weather satellite missions to the National Reconnaissance Office, Space News reported Friday.Phillip Swarts writes the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 would give NRO authority to procure military weather surveillance satellites and shift funds for such programs to NRO between FY 2018 and FY 2022.
“The committee has been concerned with the Air Force’s lack of planning, coordination, and execution of activities to meet the top two Joint Requirements Oversight Council certified requirements for space-based environmental monitoring,” according to a report accompanying the House’s draft version of the bill.
The Federation of American Scientists reported Friday that lawmakers crafted the bill in response to intelligence policies established by the Obama Administration.
“It is now more important than ever that we give the IC the tools it needs to keep us safe and provide the necessary oversight required to ensure that they act in a manner consistent with our values and at all times,” said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California), ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee.
