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House revolt hands Bush surprise defeat on intel overhaul
In a defeat for President George W. Bush, rebellious Republicans in the House of Representatives derailed legislation Saturday to overhaul U.S. intelligence agencies along lines recommended by the Sept. 11 commission. "It's hard to reform. It's hard to make changes," said Speaker Dennis Hastert, who sought unsuccessfully to persuade critics among the Republican rank and file to swing behind the measure. Hastert's decision to send legislators home without a vote drew attacks from Democrats and capped an unpredictable day in which prospects for enactment of the measure seemed to grow, then diminish, almost by the hour. Hastert left open the possibility of summoning legislators back in session early next month. As approved by key negotiators, the White House and the bipartisan the 9-11 commission, the compromise would create a powerful position to oversee the CIA and several other non-military spy agencies. A new national counter-terrorism centre would co-ordinate the fight against foreign terrorists. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney both contacted congressional negotiators by phone in hopes of nailing down an acceptable compromise that could clear Congress in the final hours of a post-election session. But U.S. representatives Duncan Hunter and Jim Sensenbrenner, committee chairmen, raised objections. Officials said Hunter, a California Republican, expressed concern provisions of the bill could interfere with the military chain of command and endanger troops in the field. Sensenbrenner wanted additional provisions dealing with immigration, the officials said. Posted by: Fred 2004-11-21 |
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