9/11 reformers fear 'poison pills' in bill

[Khephra]

9/11 reformers fear 'poison pills' in bill
By SHAUN WATERMAN

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- The White House Tuesday swung its weight behind the Senate Sept. 11 reform bill, as lawmakers from both parties vowed to try and remove what they called "poison pill" provisions from the House's much broader-ranging version.

"The Administration supports ... the establishment of a (national intelligence director) with full, effective, and meaningful budget authorities," said a statement from the White House Office of Management and Budget, which went on to say the administration would fight any attempts to water down the powers of the new intelligence chief.

The statement is a warning shot across the bows of several powerful senators who have pledged to introduce amendments to the bill, which gives legislative shape to the recommendations of the Sept. 11 Commission. The bill, which is being debated on the Senate floor this week, creates a new intelligence chief with broad powers over budgets and personnel in an attempt to ensure the mistakes that left the country vulnerable to terrorist attack are not repeated.

Members of the Senate Armed Services and Appropriations committees are expected to offer amendments weakening the authority of the new director to control the budget of intelligence agencies in the Department of Defense.

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