Bush signing sweeping overhaul of U-S intelligence
WHITE HOUSE President Bush is signing into law today the most wide-ranging overhaul of U-S intelligence since the Cold War. The bill aims to unify all 15 U-S spy agencies -- and fashion the intelligence community into a more effective weapon for fighting terrorism.
It creates the job of national director of intelligence -- as well as a counter-terrorism center to help "connect the dots."
Passed by Congress in the last days of a lame-duck session, the 600-page bill also aims to tighten borders and boost aviation security.
Critics warn the measure was approved in haste and will create a new bureaucratic superstructure. But when Congress finally passed the bill, Bush called it "historic" -- and said it'll strengthen the "first line of defense" in the war on terror.
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