Statement for the Record of Caroline Diane Krass
Before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
December 17, 2013
Chairman Feinstein, Vice Chairman Chambliss, and distinguished Members of the
Committee, it is an honor to appear before you today as the President’s nominee to be the
General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency. I am deeply grateful to both President
Obama and to Director John Brennan for their trust and confidence in me, and to the Committee
for considering my nomination. I also appreciate the opportunity I have had to meet with several
of you before this hearing to discuss a number of important issues.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce my family: my husband, William, and
my daughter and son. I am extremely appreciative of their love and support.
I see the General Counsel position as having four key duties.
First, the General Counsel must give sound and clear legal advice to the Director, Deputy
Director, and other Agency employees. As the chief legal officer of the CIA, the General
Counsel must ensure that the CIA is complying with the Constitution and other applicable U.S.
laws. In almost twenty years as an Executive Branch lawyer, I have had the privilege of
providing legal advice on a wide range of difficult legal issues to many government agencies,
including the CIA.
Second, the General Counsel must work closely with lawyers across the Executive
Branch. The protection of our Nation’s security and the achievement of our foreign policy goals
depend on an integrated approach within the Intelligence Community, as well as between the
Intelligence Community and other agencies. During my time at the National Security Council
and the Department of Justice I have worked with many lawyers from across the interagency
community. I strongly value such interagency coordination. Cooperation with the General
Counsel for the Director of National Intelligence is particularly important, and I have strong and
productive working relationships with that office, as well as with the most senior lawyers at the
Departments of Justice, Defense and State.
Third, the General Counsel must lead and supervise the lawyers in the Office of General
Counsel. Over the years, I have worked with many of these lawyers, and I have been impressed
by their dedication to rigorously applying the law, as well as to the mission of the Agency.
Maintaining high morale is particularly important, especially in this time of budgetary
uncertainty, including by providing opportunities for professional development and growth.
Equally necessary is making certain that the legal advice provided by OGC is uniformly of
excellent quality. I would bring to the job the leadership experience I gained during my tenure
leading OLC, as well as during my time at the NSC managing the interagency legal review of
difficult issues.
Fourth, and equally important, the General Counsel assists the Director in making sure
that the Intelligence Committees are provided with sufficient information to allow effective
oversight. It is critical that the Committees be kept fully and currently informed of all
intelligence activities, including covert actions. Most significant for the General Counsel, such

information must include the legal basis for the intelligence activity. I strongly believe that it is
the General Counsel’s duty to ensure that the Intelligence Committees and their staff have a clear
understanding of the legal basis for any intelligence activities, including covert action, in which
the Agency is engaged. Enabling such oversight is especially important because the classified
nature of much of what the Agency does increases the need for Congress to be fully informed
and engaged.
Finally, I have dedicated my career to government service because I believe it is essential
that the U.S. government comply with the rule of law. I am also committed to protecting our
Nation’s security. If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed as General Counsel, I would
dedicate myself to both of these tasks.
I look forward to answering your questions.