Washington, D.C.- The U.S. House of Representatives today passed legislation originally offered by Rep. David Price (D-NC) to prohibit private contractors for the intelligence community from interrogating detainees. The provisions were included in a larger bill (H.R. 5959), which authorizes the functions of the intelligence community.

"We need to take a hard look at the contracting of sensitive intelligence operations to private companies, and make sure that we are not outsourcing activities that are inherently governmental and critically important to our national security," Price said. "At a minimum, the interrogation of detainees should be carried out by individuals who are well-trained, fall within a clear chain of command, and have a sworn loyalty to the United States – not by corporate, for-profit contractors."

The House passed a similar prohibition for Defense Department contractors as part of the Defense Authorization bill in May. Price offered that amendment as well.

The North Carolina congressman has been at the forefront of efforts to rein in the Bush Administration's unprecedented use of contractors for sensitive national security functions. He is the author of legislation that passed the House last October, which would enhance the government's prosecution of abusive actions by rogue security contractors in the war zone. Price warns that lawless and unaccountable behavior by contractors endangers U.S. troops and their overall mission.

The legislation the House passed today would also require an annual census of the number of contractors involved in intelligence work, the activities they are asked to perform, the cost associated with their work, and an account of Administration efforts to hold contractors accountable for possible misconduct, including violations of the law.

Additionally, it would require the Director of National Intelligence to assess the appropriateness of using contractors for especially sensitive activities, including intelligence collection, intelligence analysis, and the interrogation, detention, and rendition of detainees.

"Contractors may very well have a place in the intelligence community, but their role must be carefully considered, thoroughly managed, and strenuously overseen – something this Administration has so far failed to do appropriately," Price said. "This legislation will help put contracting in the Intelligence Community back on a rational and stable footing."

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