The House on Friday passed legislation to authorize intelligence activities through fiscal 2015.

Funding levels in the measure, passed 345-59, are classified. It would authorize spending for the CIA, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency (DNI).

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House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers Michael (Mike) Dennis RogersDemocrats slam DHS chief for defying subpoena for testimony on worldwide threats Remembering 9/11 as we evaluate today's emerging threats Hillicon Valley: Tech CEOs brace for House grilling | Senate GOP faces backlash over election funds | Twitter limits Trump Jr.'s account MORE (R-Mich.), who is retiring, said that the controversies over NSA spying this past year had mischaracterized American intelligence activities.

"We have somehow decided over the last year that our intelligence services are the problem," Rogers said. "They are part of the solution."

"For the sake of vigorous oversight and accountability over all U.S. intelligence agencies, I urge my colleagues to support this bill," said Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger Charles (Dutch) Albert RuppersbergerHillicon Valley: 'Fortnite' owner sues Apple after game is removed from App Store | Federal agencies seize, dismantle cryptocurrency campaigns of major terrorist organizations Lawmakers introduce bill designating billion to secure state and local IT systems Lawmakers introduce legislation to establish national cybersecurity director MORE (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee.

Due to the classified nature of many of its provisions, the intelligence authorization is marked up in committee behind closed doors. But Rogers maintained that members of the committee had engaged in rigorous debate on overseeing the nation's intelligence programs.

"There is no love fest when those doors close," Rogers said.

Passage of the intelligence authorization comes a week after the House approved a bill to limit the NSA's surveillance activities and effectively end the government's collection of phone records.

The intelligence authorization echoes the efforts to curtail the NSA's surveillance activities. A provision in Title III reads, "The authorization of appropriations by this act shall not be deemed to constitute authority for the conduct of any intelligence activity which is not otherwise authorized by the Constitution or the laws of the United States."

The House gave voice vote approval to a Rogers amendment that would prohibit senior intelligence community civilian employees and legislative staff with access to sensitive information from immediately working for a company controlled by a foreign government that poses a threat to the U.S.

An amendment offered by Rep. Ted Poe Lloyd (Ted) Theodore PoeSheila Jackson Lee tops colleagues in House floor speaking days over past decade Senate Dem to reintroduce bill with new name after 'My Little Pony' confusion Texas New Members 2019 MORE (R-Texas), adopted by voice vote, would require the DNI to submit to Congress a comprehensive strategy to defeat al Qaeda and affiliated groups.

"Al Qaeda has gone on the verge of strategic defeat to a serious and growing threat depending on how you ask in our intelligence services or the administration," Poe said. "The fight against al Qaeda is far form over and it will continue to go."

Poe's amendment encountered no opposition.

"I think it is a good idea to sit down and take a comprehensive look at the problem and make sure we are approaching it the right way," said Ruppersberger.