The Nation - News from June 15, 1988

Democratic congressmen and top Administration officials, their mutual mistrust still evident from the Iran-Contra scandal, clashed over legislation that would require strict disclosure of all U.S. covert operations t key members of Congress. CIA Director William H. Webster, testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that formal legal requirements for strict notification would only “promote tension between the executive and legislation branches for years to come.” A measure pending before the House that would require disclosure of covert operations within 48 hours would face a near-certain veto from President Reagan, he said. The bill has passed the Senate. Supporters insisted that strict notification rules are needed to prevent an Administration from launching improper covert missions in the future.