"To be effective, this position must have full budget authority over our intelligence agencies," Bush said Saturday. "The many elements of our intelligence community must function seamlessly, with an overriding mission: to protect America from attack by terrorists or outlaw regimes."
He added, "The most important provisions of any new bill must create a strong, focused new management structure for our intelligence services and break down the remaining walls that prevent the timely sharing of vital threat information."
Bush addressed the concerns raised both by Warner and by House Republican opponents of the bill, insisting that "the legislation preserves the existing chain of command" within the military.
"I urge members of Congress to act next week so I can sign these needed reforms into law," Bush said.
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