FEDERALhearing transcript

High Impact

Congressional Hearing on Reforming the National Security Council

Original title: REFORMING THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL: EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

January 1, 2016

National Security Council Congressional Oversight Foreign Policy Executive Branch Government Efficiency

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing addresses potential legislative efforts to cap the size of the National Security Council staff, which has grown from approximately 100 to over 400 employees, in an effort to shift foreign policy decision-making back to cabinet-level departments.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

National Security Council Staff

Any statutory cap on staff size would directly limit the number of personnel employed by the organization.

Cabinet Secretaries

A reduction in NSC staff is intended to shift policy-making authority back to these departments.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2016.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing to discuss concerns regarding the growth and operational role of the National Security Council (NSC) staff. Lawmakers and witnesses examined proposals to limit the size of the NSC staff and address issues of accountability and oversight.

Key Facts

The NSC staff size has increased from approximately 100 people at the start of the George W. Bush administration to over 400 people as of 2016.
The committee is considering statutory proposals to restrict the total number of NSC staff members.
Chairman Royce stated that the NSC has evolved from an 'honest broker' role to a policy-making role, often operating outside of congressional oversight.
Concerns were raised that a large NSC staff leads to micromanagement of cabinet departments and bureaucratic paralysis.
The hearing took place on September 8, 2016, in the Rayburn House Office Building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Congress concerned about the size of the National Security Council?

Lawmakers argue that the growth of the NSC staff has led to the White House micromanaging foreign policy, which bypasses cabinet secretaries and limits .

What is the proposed solution to the NSC's growth?

The committee is discussing potential legislation that would set a statutory limit on the number of staff members allowed to work for the National Security Council.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Evolution of NSC Role

The hearing highlights a perceived shift in the NSC from a coordinating body to a direct policy-making entity.

National Security Council

Connected Entities

personDerek Chollet“Witness, Counselor and Senior Advisor for Security and Defense Policy, The Germa”Map →

personDavid C. Miller, Jr.“Witness, former Special Assistant to the President, National Security Council”Map →

organizationNational Security Council“The primary subject of the reform discussion”Map →

personLincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr.“Witness, Chairman of the Board, The Stimson Center”Map →

organizationHouse Committee on Foreign Affairs“Congressional committee conducting the hearing”Map →

personEdward R. Royce“Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance75
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy60
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment20
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz10
Current news / social attention level

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