The House approved GOP-crafted legislation Friday to implement the Sept. 11 commission’s recommendations and give law enforcement new powers to fight terrorism and curb illegal immigration.
The action puts the representatives on a collision course with the Senate in the waning hours of the congressional session.
The House voted 282-134 to approve GOP leaders’ bill to create a new national intelligence director and a national counterterrorism center. The House measure also includes the law-enforcement powers that the Senate rejected.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said he told 9/11 families as late as Thursday that Congress would agree to something for the White House to sign, despite major differences between the House and Senate bills.
“Yes, folks, at the end of the day we will enact a law that will make our country safer,” Hastert said.
House and Senate leaders now must negotiate a compromise version to present to Congress in a special post-session meeting if they hope to have a package to present to President Bush before Election Day.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said Friday that Congress probably would come back the third week in October to send the bill to Bush once the negotiations are finished.