House GOP Digs In on Intelligence Overhaul

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-intel8oct08.story
THE NATION
House GOP Digs In on Intelligence Overhaul
Bill modeled on Senate's bipartisan reform plan is rejected, forcing a showdown. Bush wants legislation he can sign before the election.
By Mary Curtius
Times Staff Writer

October 8, 2004

WASHINGTON — House Republicans late Thursday easily defeated an effort by Democrats to pass an intelligence reform bill modeled on one adopted by the Senate, setting the stage for a showdown between the two chambers over their competing legislation.

The spirit of bipartisanship that animated the Senate's eight-day debate over a sweeping overhaul of the nation's Cold War-era intelligence structure evaporated as soon as the House debate began Thursday.

Although the White House, in a policy statement, criticized the House bill for failing to give the new national intelligence director enough authority, Republicans insisted that their legislation would make the nation safer.

The Republican leadership predicted its bill would pass easily today on what is supposed to be the last day of the session.<snip>