[Page: H3871]

(Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I wish to announce to all Members of the House that the permanent select committee has ordered H.R. 1775, the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998, reported to the House. That report was filed this morning.

I would also like to announce that the classified annex and the classified schedule of authorizations accompanying H.R. 1775 are available for review by Members at the offices of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in room H-405 of the Capitol. The committee office will be open during regular business hours for the convenience of any Member who wishes to review this material prior to its consideration by the House. It is my understanding that H.R. 1775 will be considered on the floor the week we return from the Independence Day recess.

I would recommend that Members wishing to review the classified annex contact the committee's director of security to arrange a time and date for that viewing. This will assure the availability of committee staff to assist Members who desire that assistance during the review of the classified materials. I urge Members to take some time to review these classified documents before the bill is brought to the floor in order to better understand the recommendations of the committee.

The classified annex to the committee's report contains the intelligence committee's recommendations to the intelligence budget for fiscal year 1998 and related classified information that may not be disclosed publicly but which Members are entitled to.

It is important that Members keep in mind the requirements of clause 13 of rule XLIII of the House adopted at the beginning of the 104th Congress. That rule only permits access to classified information by those Members of the House who have signed the oath set out in rule XLIII.

For Members who wish further instruction on rule XLIII and the oath, they can also call the intelligence office.

END