Goss to step down as House Intel chairman

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Goss to step down as House Intel chairman

By Shaun Waterman
UPI Homeland and National Security Editor
Published 8/10/2004 11:24 PM

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Rep. Porter Goss, R-Fla., nominated by President Bush Tuesday to be the new director of central intelligence, is resigning as chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, United Press International has learned.

In a move designed to placate critics who have questioned his commitment to intelligence reform and promised him a rough ride in confirmation hearings, Goss "has sent a letter tonight to the Speaker (of the House) temporarily resigning his chairmanship, pending his confirmation," an aide who asked not to be named told UPI Tuesday evening.

The move would be effective immediately, said the aide, and Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., the current vice chairman, would likely preside over a Wednesday hearing -- the second in an unprecedented summer-recess series at which the panel will consider the intelligence reforms proposed by the Sept. 11 Commission.

But congressional observers pointed out that Boehlert already chairs the House Science Committee and that the chamber's bylaws prevent any member from presiding over two full committees. Since Boehlert's immediate successor, Rep. Douglas Bereuter, R-Neb., recently resigned his seat, the chairmanship would normally pass to Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev.

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http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040810-104758-7901r

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1. Kick morning.

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