Appropriators, lawmakers at odds over intelligence oversight

As the Senate rushes this week to complete legislation that will overhaul intelligence programs, a turf battle is brewing between Senate appropriators and lawmakers seeking to overhaul congressional oversight of intelligence policy. Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Whip Harry Reid, D-Nev., are expected to unveil to their 22-member working group a proposal for shifting Senate oversight of intelligence programs.

Senate Commerce Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., charged that the proposal coming from the working group will maintain the status quo. McCain blamed Senate appropriators for "desperately trying to protect their turf," noting that McConnell and Reid serve on the Appropriations Committee. But McCain said the Senate working group is expected to call for an Appropriations subcommittee on intelligence, a move "that won't change anything." The 9/11 Commission, whose recent recommendations are the basis for the Senate's intelligence legislation, urged that one panel control the intelligence budget and policy, and McCain said the Senate Intelligence Committee should oversee both areas.

Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Monday warned against amendments that she said would weaken the bill. She praised last week's debate on the legislation and noted that she and Governmental Affairs ranking member Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., beat back several amendments.

"That was last week and this is this week," Lieberman said. ,p. Both lawmakers noted the difficulty in gauging votes because they do not fall along party lines. Instead, Collins and Lieberman are paying close attention to senior senators who chair committees that could be adversely affected by their legislation.

The supporters of the legislation are keeping an eye on Appropriations Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and ranking member Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., and Senate Armed Services Chairman John Warner, R-Va., and ranking member Carl Levin, D-Mich.

Still, with the Senate leadership's support, Collins and Lieberman said they expect a cloture motion to pass Tuesday to limit debate on the bill.