President George W. Bush on Saturday stepped up pressure on Congress to approve an overhaul of the nation's intelligence operations, just two days before lawmakers return to try again to pass the reforms. "We must do everything necessary to confront and defeat the terrorist threat, and that includes intelligence reform," Bush said in a weekly radio address that laid out his principles for what the legislation should accomplish.
Intelligence reform stalled last month when some Republicans in the US House of Representatives objected because of concerns about provisions that possibly could delay intelligence reaching troops in the field and the decision to drop other provisions on immigration and law enforcement.
Based in part on recommendations by the commission that investigated the September 11, 2001, attacks on Washington and New York, Bush has pushed Congress to create a national intelligence director, overhaul the nation's 15 spy agencies and strengthen the ability to arrest those who aid and train terrorists.
"Congress made good progress toward a new strong bill," Bush said. "I urge members of Congress to act next week so I can sign these needed reforms into law."
Republican Sen. John Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, on Friday revealed he shared some of the concerns raised in the House that could further complicate efforts to approve the bill.
Some lawmakers have said they are counting on Bush to break the impasse and Democrats have criticised the president for not doing more to break the deadlock.
"It has not passed because the House Republican leadership is refusing to bring it up for a vote - and because, until now, the president has not been willing to use his political capital to make it happen," said Rep. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat.
The lawmaker said the bill had enough support from Republicans and Democrats to pass the House and Senate.
"Bush must make clear to House Republican leaders that there is no room for politics on this issue. He must end the deception and delays of his party and get this bill passed," Menendez said.
Bush was expected to send a letter to lawmakers reiterating his support for the reform package.
Congress returns on Monday to finish funding the government, but House Speaker Dennis Hastert has not yet decided whether to schedule a vote on the reform when some Republicans oppose the bill.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, a California Republican, has said he feared the current bill could hurt the military chain of command and create obstacles to intelligence reaching troops in battle.