DHS Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office and Ombuds Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7435
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T22:04:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to create an Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office and an Intelligence Ombuds position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Its goal is to improve review of intelligence activities, promote public understanding of those activities, and ensure they remain objective and free from political influence while protecting privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Office and Ombuds: The Secretary of Homeland Security must create the Office, led by an Ombuds who is a senior career employee with expertise in intelligence, civil rights enforcement, and issues of timeliness, objectivity, and politicization. The Ombuds reports to the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis and directly to Congress on urgent matters.
- Duties of the Ombuds: The Ombuds serves as the main advisor on safeguarding objectivity and independence in DHS intelligence activities; promotes awareness of requirements for privacy and civil rights protections; offers confidential forums for resolving concerns about abuses or biased analysis; initiates reviews and makes recommendations to intelligence component heads; and helps decide on releasing information to the public without harming security.
- Coordination and Access: Intelligence component heads must respond formally to Ombuds recommendations within 60 days. The Secretary must set procedures for the Ombuds to access needed departmental information, with responses required within 60 days of requests.
- Reporting Requirements: The Ombuds must submit annual reports to the House Committee on Homeland Security, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, covering activities, findings, and recommendations.
- Definition: "Intelligence activity" includes the collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of homeland security, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction information.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill adds a new Section 714 to Title VII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, creating structures for internal oversight that did not previously exist in this form. It introduces formal response timelines for recommendations and direct congressional reporting pathways, expanding on existing roles of the Privacy Officer and Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DHS intelligence components would face new review processes, mandatory response timelines, and requirements to maintain objectivity, potentially increasing administrative workload while strengthening internal accountability.
- On Citizens: Greater emphasis on transparency could lead to more public information about DHS activities, supporting awareness of privacy protections, though balanced against security needs.
- On International Relations: No direct provisions address foreign relations, but improved oversight of intelligence could indirectly affect how DHS intelligence is perceived abroad.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- DHS leadership and intelligence components (such as those handling analysis and collection).
- Congressional oversight committees.
- Individuals and organizations raising concerns about intelligence practices.
- The public, through enhanced transparency mechanisms.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill reinforces protections for privacy rights, civil rights, and civil liberties in intelligence work, aligning with constitutional principles like due process and free speech by addressing potential politicization. It establishes independent reporting lines to Congress, which may affect separation of powers by increasing legislative access to executive branch activities. The requirement for career employees in the Ombuds role aims to reduce political influence, though implementation depends on departmental procedures.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
- 2026-02-09: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- 2026-02-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- DHS Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office and Ombuds Act — issued 2026-02-09 — PDF (6 pages)