Deal Reached to Enact 9/11 Intel Overhaul [View All]

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON - Key congressional negotiators reported agreement Saturday on legislation that would put in place terrorism-fighting recommendations from the Sept. 11 commission. The deal means that a broad reorganization of U.S. intelligence agencies is closer to passage.



The plan creates a national intelligence director who would control nonmilitary spy agencies. A new national counterterrorism center would coordinate the fight against foreign terrorists, as the commission urged.


The agreement is subject to approval by both the House and Senate before legislation can go to the White House.


Sen. Susan Collins (news, bio, voting record), R-Maine, one of the lawmakers involved in the talks, said President Bush (news - web sites) had been in touch with negotiators by telephone from Chile, where he was attending a meeting of leaders from Asian and Pacific nations.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=512&ncid=716&e=3&u=/ap/20041120/ap_on_go_co/congress_intelligence