Hill Again Poised to Limit Constitution

A 'Final Exam' Begins for Security Agencies
Panel Could Prompt Easing of Three Decades of Restraints on Agencies' Domestic Intelligence Efforts

By Dana Priest
Washington Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, June 4, 2002; Page A06

In scope and importance, the congressional intelligence inquiry that begins today behind closed, soundproof doors on the Capitol's top floor rivals the 1975 hearings chaired by Idaho Sen. Frank Church (D) that curbed spying on U.S. citizens and prompted stricter oversight of covert operations overseas.

But facing an elusive terrorist enemy based both abroad and in the United States, the bipartisan panel of Senate and House intelligence committee members that meets today is poised to undo nearly three decades of restraints aimed at curbing CIA and FBI abuses and safeguarding civil liberties.

"In terms of national significance, this is on par with the Iran-contra hearings and the Church commission and in some ways, it's a more focused investigation and even more important," said Jeffrey H. Smith, former CIA general counsel and the State Department's liaison lawyer to the Church panel.

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