Definition: The Gang of Eight refers to four members (chair and ranking minority member) of the House and Senate Select Committees on Intelligence and the four leaders of the House and Senate.
The Intelligence Oversight Act of 1980 mandates that the CIA “fully and currently [inform]” Congressional oversight committees of their activities including “any significant anticipated intelligence activity.” It requires notifying only members of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees. The 1974 Hughes-Ryan Amendment, which it supersedes, required that all appropriate committees be notified.
In special cases, the Act authorized the President to brief only the majority and minority leaders of each chamber as well as the chairmen and ranking minority members of the Intelligence Committees. It is this second group that is informally known as the "Gang of Eight."
The Intelligence Oversight Act of 1980 mandates that the CIA “fully and currently [inform]” Congressional oversight committees of their activities including “any significant anticipated intelligence activity.” It requires notifying only members of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees. The 1974 Hughes-Ryan Amendment, which it supersedes, required that all appropriate committees be notified.
In special cases, the Act authorized the President to brief only the majority and minority leaders of each chamber as well as the chairmen and ranking minority members of the Intelligence Committees. It is this second group that is informally known as the "Gang of Eight."
