Congress closer to deal on intelligence reform
From Ed Henry
CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After weeks of delay, House and Senate negotiators are edging closer to a deal to overhaul the nation's intelligence system by implementing some of the key recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 commission, according to two senior congressional Republican aides.
One of the aides said congressional leaders "feel very optimistic" that a deal can be struck late Friday and a vote could come Saturday before the lame-duck session of the 108th Congress ends.
A Democratic aide involved in the talks was slightly less optimistic about the possibility of a deal, saying Republicans have not compromised on some key provisions. The aide described the final negotiations as "very, very intense" at this stage.
"They are past regulation, past overtime," said the Democratic aide. "House Republicans have the ball. They can drop it or they can score."
The legislation would create the post of a national intelligence director to oversee the nation's disparate spy agencies. A key sticking point has been how much power the NID will have over the nation's estimated $80 billion intelligence budget.
House Republicans have pushed to allow the Pentagon to keep some power over the intelligence budget, and GOP sources believe a final deal will be at least a partial victory for the Defense Department.
The Family Steering Committee for the 9/11 Independent Commission released a statement Friday urging Congress to finish the bill before adjourning for the year. The 9/11 families want negotiators to give the NID broad powers.
"The negotiators must preserve those provisions which grant the NID the necessary authorities that will allow for the collection and analysis of accurate and timely intelligence," said the statement. "Only then will our nation be able to effectively combat those who threaten our safety."
