Showdown Likely on Intelligence Operations
The debate over restructuring the nation’s intelligence operations is turning into an unexpected referendum of sorts on the antiterrorism powers granted to the federal government under the USA Patriot Act, with a Congressional showdown in the struggle expected on Wednesday. A proposal announced last week by House Republican leaders in response to the findings of the Sept. 11 commission would, along with restructuring intelligence functions, expand the powers of law enforcement officials to pursue terrorism suspects and to deport people on national security grounds.Full Story