Washington Times - Politics Blog
Monday, November 15, 2004
When gain is loss
Republicans' net gain of four new seats in the Senate may have sunk chances to get a final agreement this year on the intelligence overhaul bill now pending in Congress.
The House and Senate are negotiating differences between their bills but remain deadlocked over the powers of the new national intelligence director and a host of other provisions, such as immigration controls.
But with a more conservative Senate due in next year, House Republican leaders see no reason to push hard for an agreement this year. They believe the new Senate Republicans, most of whom actually supported the House version, will bolster the House's argument next year.
Some observers say that has forced Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican who is chairwoman of the Government Affairs Committee and the chief Senate Republican negotiator, to have to start moving toward the House position on provisions, including some of the immigration parts. As of now, though, that doesn't appear to be enough for the House, and a deal is likely to wait until next year.
-- Stephen Dinan, congressional bureau chief
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