The following is a list of legal documents that, taken together, provide the main underpinnings of the contemporary national security system:

 

National Security Act of 1947 (PDF)

National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (PDF)

Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958 (PDF)

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (PDF)

Intelligence Oversight Act of 1980 (PDF)

USA Patriot Act 2001 (PDF)

Homeland Security Act of 2002 (PDF)

Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (PDF)

 

For an overview of prior reform attempts to the national security system, both successful and unsuccessful, we have compiled the following document: