Title 50 — War and National DefenseRelease 119-73
§3003 Definitions
Title 50 › Chapter CHAPTER 44— - NATIONAL SECURITY › § 3003
Summary
Defines key words used in this chapter about intelligence. It gives short meanings for terms people will see later. "Intelligence" means both foreign intelligence and counterintelligence. "Foreign intelligence" is information about the plans, abilities, or actions of foreign governments, groups, or people, or international terrorists. "Counterintelligence" is information and actions to stop spying, sabotage, or assassination by foreign actors or terrorists. "Intelligence community" names the main agencies (Office of the Director of National Intelligence, CIA, NSA, DIA, NGA, NRO), other Defense reconnaissance offices, the military services’ intelligence units, FBI, DEA, Department of Energy intelligence, State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Treasury and Homeland Security intelligence offices, and any other parts the President or the DNI and a department head add. "National intelligence" covers all intelligence from any source, inside or outside the U.S., that under Presidential guidance relates to more than one U.S. agency and involves threats to the U.S., weapons of mass destruction, or other national or homeland security matters. "National Intelligence Program" means all programs and activities of the intelligence community and other programs the DNI and a department head or the President designate, but it does not include military programs used only for planning or carrying out tactical military operations. "Congressional intelligence committees" are the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Full Legal Text
Title 50, §3003
War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
As used in this chapter:
(1)The term “intelligence” includes foreign intelligence and counterintelligence.
(2)The term “foreign intelligence” means information relating to the capabilities, intentions, or activities of foreign governments or elements thereof, foreign organizations, or foreign persons, or international terrorist activities.
(3)The term “counterintelligence” means information gathered, and activities conducted, to protect against espionage, other intelligence activities, sabotage, or assassinations conducted by or on behalf of foreign governments or elements thereof, foreign organizations, or foreign persons, or international terrorist activities.
(4)The term “intelligence community” includes the following:
(A)The Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
(B)The Central Intelligence Agency.
(C)The National Security Agency.
(D)The Defense Intelligence Agency.
(E)The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
(F)The National Reconnaissance Office.
(G)Other offices within the Department of Defense for the collection of specialized national intelligence through reconnaissance programs.
(H)The intelligence elements of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Space Force, the Coast Guard, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Department of Energy.
(I)The Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the Department of State.
(J)The Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of the Treasury.
(K)The Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security.
(L)Such other elements of any department or agency as may be designated by the President, or designated jointly by the Director of National Intelligence and the head of the department or agency concerned, as an element of the intelligence community.
(5)The terms “national intelligence” and “intelligence related to national security” refer to all intelligence, regardless of the source from which derived and including information gathered within or outside the United States, that—
(A)pertains, as determined consistent with any guidance issued by the President, to more than one United States Government agency; and
(B)that involves—
(i)threats to the United States, its people, property, or interests;
(ii)the development, proliferation, or use of weapons of mass destruction; or
(iii)any other matter bearing on United States national or homeland security.
(6)The term “National Intelligence Program” refers to all programs, projects, and activities of the intelligence community, as well as any other programs of the intelligence community designated jointly by the Director of National Intelligence and the head of a United States department or agency or by the President. Such term does not include programs, projects, or activities of the military departments to acquire intelligence solely for the planning and conduct of tactical military operations by United States Armed Forces.
(7)The term “congressional intelligence committees” means—
(A)the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
(B)the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, 61 Stat. 495, known as the National Security Act of 1947, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. Codification Section was formerly classified to section 401a of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
Amendments
2022—Par. (4)(H). Pub. L. 117–263 inserted “the Space Force,” after “the Marine Corps,”. 2012—Par. (4)(K). Pub. L. 112–87, § 431, amended subpar. (K) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (K) read as follows: “The elements of the Department of Homeland Security concerned with the analysis of intelligence information.” Par. (6). Pub. L. 112–87, § 505(1), substituted “Director of National Intelligence” for “Director of Central Intelligence”. 2010—Par. (4)(H). Pub. L. 111–259, § 441(1), inserted “the Coast Guard,” after “the Marine Corps,” and “the Drug
Enforcement
Administration,” after “the Federal Bureau of Investigation,”. Par. (4)(K). Pub. L. 111–259, § 441(2), struck out “, including the Office of Intelligence of the Coast Guard” after “information”. Par. (4)(L). Pub. L. 111–259, § 804(1), struck out “other” after “elements of any”. 2004—Par. (4). Pub. L. 108–458, § 1073, amended par. (4) generally, substituting provisions defining “intelligence community” as including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and other entities for provisions defining “intelligence community” as including the Office of the Director of Central Intelligence and other entities. Par. (5). Pub. L. 108–458, § 1012, amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows: “The terms ‘national intelligence’ and ‘intelligence related to the national security’— “(A) each refer to intelligence which pertains to the interests of more than one department or agency of the Government; and “(B) do not refer to counterintelligence or law
Enforcement
activities conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation except to the extent provided for in procedures agreed to by the Director of Central Intelligence and the Attorney General, or otherwise as expressly provided for in this title.” Par. (6). Pub. L. 108–458, § 1074(a), struck out “Foreign” before “Intelligence Program”. 2003—Par. (4)(E). Pub. L. 108–136 substituted “National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency” for “National Imagery and Mapping Agency”. Par. (4)(H). Pub. L. 108–177, § 105(d)(1)(A), struck out “the Department of the Treasury,” after “the Federal Bureau of Investigation,”. Par. (4)(J) to (L). Pub. L. 108–177, § 105(d)(1)(B), (C), added subpar. (J) and redesignated former subpars. (J) and (K) as (K) and (L), respectively. 2002—Par. (4)(J), (K). Pub. L. 107–296 added subpar. (J) and redesignated former subpar. (J) as (K). Par. (7). Pub. L. 107–306 added par. (7). 2001—Par. (2). Pub. L. 107–56, § 902(1), inserted “, or international terrorist activities” before period at end. Par. (3). Pub. L. 107–56, § 902(2), substituted “, and activities conducted,” for “and activities conducted”. Par. (4)(H). Pub. L. 107–108 struck out “and” before “the Department of Energy” and inserted “, and the Coast Guard” before semicolon. 1996—Par. (4)(E). Pub. L. 104–201 substituted “National Imagery and Mapping Agency” for “Central Imagery Office”. 1994—Par. (4)(E). Pub. L. 103–359 substituted “the Central Imagery Office” for “the central imagery authority within the Department of Defense”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2004 AmendmentFor Determination by President that amendment by Pub. L. 108–458 take effect on Apr. 21, 2005, see Memorandum of President of the United States, Apr. 21, 2005, 70 F.R. 23925, set out as a note under section 3001 of this title. Amendment by Pub. L. 108–458 effective not later than six months after Dec. 17, 2004, except as otherwise expressly provided, see section 1097(a) of Pub. L. 108–458, set out in an
Effective Date
of 2004 Amendment; Transition Provisions note under section 3001 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2002 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security.
Effective Date
of 1996 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 104–201 effective Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1124 of Pub. L. 104–201, set out as a note under section 193 of Title 10, Armed Forces. Authority of Secretary of State Except as otherwise provided, Secretary of State to have and exercise any authority vested by law in any official or office of Department of State and references to such officials or offices deemed to refer to Secretary of State or Department of State, as appropriate, see section 2651a of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse, and section 161(d) of Pub. L. 103–236, set out as a note under section 2651a of Title 22. Definitions Applicable to Specific Acts Pub. L. 119–60, div. F, § 6002, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1608, provided that: “In this division [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003). “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).” Pub. L. 118–159, div. F, § 6002, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2469, provided that: “In this division [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003). “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given such term in such section.” Pub. L. 118–31, div. G, § 7002, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 1021, provided that: “In this division [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003). “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given such term in such section 3.” Pub. L. 117–263, div. F, § 6002, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3496, provided that: “In this division [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003). “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given such term in such section.” Pub. L. 117–103, div. X, § 2, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 963, provided that: “In this division [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ means—“(A) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and “(B) the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).” Pub. L. 116–260, div. W, § 2, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2362, provided that: “In this division [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ means—“(A) the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and “(B) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).” Pub. L. 116–92, div. E, § 5003, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2115, provided that: “In this division [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003). “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).” Pub. L. 115–31, div. N, § 2,
May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 807, provided that: “In this division [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ means—“(A) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and “(B) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given that term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).” Pub. L. 114–113, div. M, § 2, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2910, provided that: “In this division [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ means—“(A) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and “(B) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given that term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).” Pub. L. 113–293, § 2, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3991, provided that: “In this Act [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ means—“(A) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and “(B) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given that term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).” Pub. L. 113–126, § 2,
July 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 1391, provided that: “In this Act [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ means—“(A) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and “(B) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given that term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).” Pub. L. 112–87, § 2, Jan. 3, 2012, 125 Stat. 1877, provided that: “In this Act [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ means—“(A) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and “(B) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given that term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a(4)) [now 50 U.S.C. 3003(4)].” Pub. L. 112–18, § 2,
June 8, 2011, 125 Stat. 224, provided that: “In this Act [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ means—“(A) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and “(B) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given that term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a(4)) [now 50 U.S.C. 3003(4)].” Pub. L. 111–259, § 2, Oct. 7, 2010, 124 Stat. 2656, provided that: “In this Act [see Tables for classification]: “(1) Congressional intelligence committees.—The term ‘congressional intelligence committees’ means—“(A) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and “(B) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. “(2) Intelligence community.—The term ‘intelligence community’ has the meaning given that term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a(4)) [now 50 U.S.C. 3003(4)].”
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions For assignment of function of President under par. (5)(A) of this section to Director of National Intelligence, see Ex. Ord. No. 12333, § 1.3(a)(1), Dec. 4, 1981, 46 F.R. 59941, as amended, set out as a note under section 3001 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
50 U.S.C. § 3003
Title 50 — War and National Defense
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73