Legislation enacted in 1980 gave the executive branch authority to limit advance notification of especially sensitive covert actions to 8 Members of Congress -- the ¿Gang of Eight¿ (G8) -- when the Pres. determines that it is essential to limit prior notice in order to meet extraordinary circumstances affecting U.S. vital interests. Partial contents of this report: Requirements for Notifications of Sensitive Covert Actions to Congress; Additional G8 Requirements; When Prior Notice to the G8 is Withheld; Directors of National Intell. and CIA Critical of G8 Notifications For Non-Covert Actions; House Intell. Committee Replaces G8 Procedure in FY 2010 Intell. Authorization Act; G8 Notifications: The Historic Record; Conclusion: Striking a Balance. Charts and tables.