Update on H.R. 6545

On July 23, 2008, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6545, a bill introduced by eight democratic co-sponsors "To require the Director of National Intelligence to conduct a national intelligence assessment on national security and energy security issues." H.R. 6545 was passed by a vote of 414-0 under Suspension of the Rules. It was then referred to the Senate, where it was read twice and referred to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Section 2 of H.R. 6545 requires "Not later than January 1, 2009, the Director of National Intelligence shall submit to Congress a national intelligence assessment on national security and energy security issues relating to rapidly escalating energy costs. Such assessment shall include an assessment of" among other things "(4) the national security implications of potential use of energy resources as leverage against the United States by Venezuela, Iran, or other potential adversaries of the United States as a result of increased energy prices."