The Church Committee conducted a wide-ranging investigation into foreign and domestic intelligence activities, including controversial programs to assassinate foreign leaders. The committee’s carefully researched multivolume report documented foreign and domestic intelligence abuses. It concluded that “properly controlled and lawful intelligence is vital to the nation’s interest,” but also strongly recommended greater oversight of the intelligence agencies.
Law Library of Congress, Library of Congress
Intelligence Activities and the Rights of Americans: Book II: Final Report of the Select Committee . . . : United States Senate . . . , April 26, 1976
Foreign and Domestic Spying
After allegations of domestic spying by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) surfaced in the 1970s, public demand grew for an investigation of federal surveillance operations. In 1975 the Senate established the Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities, headed by Senator Frank Church of Idaho. The Church Committee’s reports exposed abuses and led to legislation governing domestic and foreign surveillance—most notably, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. House and Senate permanent select committees established at that time now oversee U.S. intelligence.
The root cause of the excesses . . . has been failure to apply the wisdom of the constitutional system of checks and balances to intelligence activities. Our experience as a nation has taught us to place our trust in laws, and not solely in men.
Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations, Foreign and Military Intelligence, April 1976
The Church Committee conducted a wide-ranging investigation into foreign and domestic intelligence activities, including controversial programs to assassinate foreign leaders. The committee’s carefully researched multivolume report documented foreign and domestic intelligence abuses. It concluded that “properly controlled and lawful intelligence is vital to the nation’s interest,” but also strongly recommended greater oversight of the intelligence agencies.
Law Library of Congress, Library of Congress
