Bill Bans Using Journalists As Spies

The CIA would be prohibited from using U.S. journalists as spies under a House proposal passed overwhelmingly Wednesday. But the CIA could still use its own agents in the guise of journalists.

The House also decided against making the U.S. intelligence budget public even as it approved, by voice vote, an overall spy budget for 1997 estimated - unofficially - at $29.4 billion.

By a 417-6 margin, the House approved an amendment that would prohibit U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA, from using American media representatives for intelligence-gathering.

Under the proposal by Rep. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, the president could override the restriction after explaining his reasons to Congress.

“The intent is for this to never happen,” Richardson said after the vote. “The CIA fought this.”

Richardson recounted the story of a reporter for the Tampa (Fla.) Tribune, Todd Smith, who was captured, tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in 1989 during a trip to Peru. The newspaper said Smith’s attackers believed he was an American drug agent.