Intel Director Bill Reaches Critical Stage

More on the Intel Bill. If not resolved this week, it could die on the vine. I say let it, and lets re-look this thing to really get the Intelligence process right.//JW sends.

House Republicans are debating among themselves whether to vote on a legislative compromise to enact the Sept. 11 commission's terror-fighting recommendations, despite Democratic assurances the bill would pass.

"If the bill isn't passed this week, it dies," Rep. Jane Harman of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said Sunday. But "if it's put up for a vote in both houses, it will pass with bipartisan majority."

Democrats in the House and Senate say the bill to overhaul the intelligence community by creating a national intelligence director will pass if House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., brings the compromise up Monday, when the GOP-controlled House returns for a year-end wrap-up.

But Republicans say objections from House Armed Services Committee chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., and Judiciary Committee chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., have held up the bill and could force the issue to wait until next year.

Hastert refused to bring the bill to a vote before Thanksgiving because of their objections and has yet to reveal his plans.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said he supports the House-Senate compromise, but "I do believe it can be improved. "

"And I don't think we should ignore two very fine chairmen," said Hatch, who appeared with Harman on CNN's "Late Edition."

Aside from the intelligence bill, the House must put the final touches on a $388 billion spending measure that was not completed when lawmakers left town before Thanksgiving.