Congress Intelligence
CAPITOL HILL The Senate has rejected the Nine-Eleven commission's recommendation for congressional oversight and adopted its own plan. On a 79-to-six vote, it created a new Homeland Security Committee, made a new subcommittee under the existing Appropriations Committee and strengthened the Intelligence Committee.
Deputy Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell says the new panel will have jurisdiction over all policy making of the Department of Homeland Security. He says it's "the most significant reorganization of the Senate since the 1970's."
McConnell and deputy Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid say the changes will improve an oversight system that the Nine-Eleven commission called dysfunctional.
And Reid says the Nine-Eleven commission members should be pleased, even if their plan has been modified. He says they know Congress "can't wave a magical wand and do everything they wanted."
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
