Nevada Sen. Bryan set for new role on panel

Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999 | 10 a.m.

As the leading Democrat on the panel, Bryan will be among a select group of about eight congressional leaders who will be briefed on sensitive intelligence issues that are otherwise confidential.

"Whatever we do in terms of priority for national intelligence could have some spinoff impact on Nevada and the (Nevada) Test Site," said Bryan, who has served on the panel since 1993.

The intelligence committee does not exercise direct oversight of the test site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, so it is unlikely that Bryan's new position would create more jobs for the facility. Bryan said he will be kept abreast of counterterrorism training and other activities at the test site.

Early next month, before Congress returns, Bryan is scheduled to join the committee chairman, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., on an official trip to Africa. Details of the trip are not yet available.

Bryan succeeds as vice chairman Sen. Robert Kerrey, D-Neb., who is leaving the committee after eight years. Unlike other panels, the intelligence committee limits the tenure of its members to eight years and its meetings are often closed to the public.

Committee rules also prohibit disclosure of the CIA's budget, although it is commonly estimated to be about $30 billion annually.

Bryan favors disclosure of the intelligence agency's budgets. As vice chairman, he said he hopes to help the committee do a better job of setting budget priorities.

Bryan will serve only one year in his new post, having announced he will retire from the Senate at the end of 2000.