House OKs GOP Bill on 9/11 Reorganization
The House approved GOP-crafted legislation Friday to implement the Sept. 11 commission’s recommendations and give law enforcement new powers to fight terrorism and curb illegal immigration. The action puts the representatives on a collision course with the Senate in the waning hours of the congressional session. The House voted 282-134 to approve GOP leaders’ bill to create a new national intelligence director and a national counterterrorism center. The House measure also includes the law-enforcement powers that the Senate rejected. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said he told 9/11 families as late as Thursday that Congress would agree to something for the White House to sign, despite major differences between the House and Senate bills. Group Profile