Seth Magaziner (D-RI)
DHS Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office and Ombuds Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill seeks to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to create an Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office and an Intelligence Ombuds within the Department of Homeland Security. The new Office is tasked with reviewing intelligence activities for timeliness, objectivity, and independence from political considerations. The Office will be led by an Ombuds, a senior career employee with a background in intelligence and civil rights enforcement. This Ombuds will serve as a principal advisor to ensure intelligence activities protect privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. Additionally, the Ombuds will provide confidential forums to resolve concerns regarding intelligence activities or potential abuses. The bill also requires annual reports to be submitted to specific House and Senate committees.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +8
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill establishes an Office and Ombuds specifically to increase transparency and public understanding of intelligence activities.
- Scored +7
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The Ombuds is tasked with ensuring intelligence activities are consistent with the protection of privacy rights.
- Scored +3
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill includes protections against civil rights abuses within intelligence operations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Oversight of Intelligence Activities: The creation of an Office to review the timeliness, objectivity, and independence of intelligence activities could improve how the Department functions (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).
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Increased Public Understanding: The Office is tasked with facilitating decisions to make information publicly available to enhance public understanding of intelligence activities (Section 2(a)(1)(B) and Section 2(b)(6)).
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Protection of Civil Rights and Liberties: The Ombuds is required to promote awareness that intelligence activities must be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of privacy rights, civil rights, and civil liberties (Section 2(b)(3)(A)).
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Resolution of Concerns: The Ombuds will provide confidential forums, without fear of retaliation, to help resolve individual or organizational concerns regarding issues like civil rights abuses or the politicization of analysis (Section 2(b)(4)).
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Increased Congressional Accountability: The Ombuds must submit annual reports on activities, findings, and recommendations to several House and Senate committees (Section 2(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Risk to Homeland Security through Disclosure: The bill notes that the process of making information public must continue to protect information in cases where disclosure would harm homeland security (Section 2(b)(6)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes an Office and Ombuds specifically to increase transparency and public understanding of intelligence activities. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The Ombuds is tasked with ensuring intelligence activities are consistent with the protection of privacy rights. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the internal oversight and transparency functions within the Department of Homeland Security.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill includes protections against civil rights abuses within intelligence operations. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill establishes oversight to prevent political bias and protect civil rights within intelligence activities. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill emphasizes the protection of civil rights and liberties generally.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill provides general protections for civil rights and liberties.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill promotes objectivity and independence in intelligence activities which can support national security stability.
- 2/10/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
- 2/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Bennie ThompsonDemocrat · Mississippi