The Committee on Appropriations is authorized by Public Law 601, 79th Congress, to conduct studies and examinations of the organization and operation of any executive agency. In this context, the S&IS is considered an extension of the committee and represents the committee during the course of an investigation. It is the policy of the Marine Corps to cooperate fully with the Congress and to make information available to its committees, staff members and investigative staffs. S&IS investigators will be afforded the same degree of courtesy and cooperation that would be provided to a member of the committee they represent.