Article posted: 12/25/2011 5:09 AM
Congress puts spy world on money diet
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By Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Congress is putting the spy world on a diet — trimming back planned growth in staff and high-tech surveillance programs.
Next year’s budget doesn’t cancel any programs, but it shaves money off big-ticket items like the multi-billion-dollar spy satellites.
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A budget bill passed recently but is classified, but it’s expected to stay in the same range as last year’s -- just under $79 billion. Spy agencies had asked for an increase.
Congress left alone plans for new hires in cybersecurity and counter-terror threat finance.
One change in the new measure: Families of intelligence officers will get the same financial help for burial expenses as those of uniformed military, if agents are killed by terrorists.
