http://www.truthout.org/docs_05/012705C.shtmlalso related the takeover: Analysis by Waxman from his report prior to passage of 9/11 bill. I am not clear if these provisions stayed in the final bill.
ANALYSIS OF H.R. 10: REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP BILL ON 9/11 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
31
Extraneous Provision 1: Intelligence Reorganization Authority
House Bill: Section 5021 grants the President expedited reorganization authority
for the entire intelligence community. Under the provision, a presidential plan to
reorganize the intelligence community would have an up or down vote, with no
amendments, within 90 days of submission to Congress.
Analysis: This provision establishes a “fast-track” legislative procedure that
would allow the executive branch to undo any of the intelligence reforms enacted
in the legislation. Instead of enhancing congressional oversight, as the 9/11
Commission recommended, this provision would do the opposite, transferring
power over how the intelligence community is organized from Congress to the
President.
Extraneous Provision 2: Avoiding Senate Confirmation for
Senior Intelligence Officials
House Bill: Section 5041 provides that senior intelligence and national security
officials, including the Director of Central Intelligence, the Secretaries of the Air
Force, Army, and Navy, and the Deputy Secretaries of the Departments of
Defense, State, and Homeland Security do not need Senate confirmation if the
Senate fails to act on their nomination within 30 legislative days.
Analysis: This provision would undermine congressional oversight of
intelligence agencies by effectively repealing Senate confirmation of key
appointees. Although the Commission recommended stronger congressional
oversight over the intelligence community, this provis ion would effectively
bypass the Senate’s advice and consent power for key positions within the
intelligence community. Under the provision, the Senate Majority Leader could
delay bringing an intelligence nominee to the Senate floor for consideration for 30
days, resulting in the nominee’s automatic appointment. The Commission, in
contrast, recommended that the Senate adopt rules to require a confirmation vote
for intelligence and national security nominees within 30 days.
Extraneous Provision 8: Limiting Financial Disclosure for the
Intelligence Community
House Bill: Section 5043 amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 by
reducing public disclosure of the income and assets of the heads of intelligence
agencies. Under section 5043, the Director of National Intelligence and other
senior intelligence officials would no longer be required to disclose assets worth
over $50 million, $25 million, or even $5 million.
Analysis: Instead of enhancing congressional and public oversight of the
intelligence community, as the 9/11 Commission recommended, this provision
would actually restrict the public’s access to information about the backgrounds
and potential conflicts of interest of key government officials. This extraneous
provision would allow multimillionaires serving the public to keep their finances
secret.
http://democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20041015154437-75297.pdf
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