WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence increased funding for the country’s spy satellites as part of its annual intelligence authorization bill, which passed June 4.
The bill, which is used to authorize funding for intelligence programs, passed by a voice vote. The overall funding recommendation for intelligence programs was about 1 percent below the president’s recommended budget, the release said.
Intelligence agency budgets are classified so it is difficult to know exactly how the recommendation would affect the National Reconnaissance Office, which buys and operates the nation’s spy satellites.
According to a June 4 press release from the committee’s Democrats, the bill provides “continued support” to satellites and investments in space protection and resiliency.
U.S. President Barack Obama requested $53.9 billion for national intelligence programs for 2016, according to publicly released government documents.
The bill now moves to the House floor.
