US intelligence revamp gets legislative backing

The House passed the Bill after lawmakers resolved differences over Pentagon authority on intelligence needed to help battlefield commanders and Republican leaders put off a fight over immigration issues until next year.

The Bill, sought by some of the families of Sept. 11 victims, would implement key recommendations made by the Sept. 11 Commission and create a new Director of National Intelligence with strong budget powers to oversee 15 US spy agencies. It also creates a new counterterrorism center that would plan and help oversee counterterrorism operations.

The Bill contains immigration and law enforcement measures, including minimum standards for drivers licenses and other identification that is needed to board aircraft. It also would add more border patrol agents and increase the number of beds to house illegal immigrants and terror suspects. The Bill also strengthens powers to pursue terror suspects and calls for a national transportation security strategy. It would also create a civil liberties oversight board.

It also backs further financial assistance of Pakistan and Afghanistan and calls for strengthening and assessing the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia. 8212;Reuters