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U.S. Intelligence Bill Tops $43 Billion

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The Associated Press

Published: October 31, 2007

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government spent $43.5 billion on intelligence in 2007, according to the first official disclosure under a new law implementing recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission.
National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell released the newly declassified figure Tuesday. In a statement, his office said there would be no additional disclosures of classified budget information beyond the overall spending figure because 'such disclosures could harm national security.'

How the money is divided among the 16 intelligence agencies and exactly what it is spent on is classified. It includes salaries for about 100,000 people, multibillion dollar secret satellite programs, aircraft, weapons, electronic sensors, intelligence analysts, spies, computers and software.

Much of the intelligence budget - about 70 percent - goes to contractors for the procurement of technology and services, including analysis, according to a May 2007 chart from the Director of National Intelligence office.

In 1997 and 1998, the CIA voluntarily disclosed the intelligence budget at $26.6 billion and $26.7 billion, respectively.

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