Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called on the Senate Intelligence Committee to hold a hearing into reports that the Department of Defense has established new military intelligence special forces units and has changed the guidelines for reporting to Congress.

“I’ve been asked a number of questions – questions which I cannot answer -- about reports that the Department of Defense has created new intelligence special forces and has changed the guidelines for reporting to Congress,” Senator Feinstein said. “I think that it is within the oversight responsibility of the Intelligence Committee to have answers to these questions. That’s why I request that the Senate Intelligence Committee hold a hearing so that we can ask detailed, specific questions about these allegations.”  

Senator Feinstein requested the hearing in a letter to the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS) and John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-WV).  

Separately, Senator Feinstein asked Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to confirm or deny these reports. In a letter to Secretary Rumsfeld, Senator Feinstein wrote:

“According to the Washington Post, the Department of Defense is changing the guidelines with respect to oversight and notification of Congress by military intelligence. Is this true or false?  

Also, the Washington Post article contends that the Department is developing new military units. We know that the Defense Intelligence Agency is working to create a better structure to perform the function of collecting and analyzing human intelligence related to military requirements. But, the paper also contends that Special Units have been created, such as Special Forces, Seals, and Delta teams to deploy around the world to take action. Is this true or false?”