Bush signs orders for intelligence reform

Democratic critics questioned whether Bush's proposed changes were too modest. Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry said Bush had been reluctant to act and still was not doing enough.

Bush signed four separate orders before embarking on a weekend of campaign stops leading up to the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday in New York. His press secretary, Scott McClellan, said the moves will "improve our ability to find, track and stop terrorists."

Bush's first order gives the CIA director additional authority on an interim basis to perform many of the functions of a proposed national intelligence director, who would have increased power to oversee all 15 of the nation's intelligence agencies. White House officials said that includes a stronger hand to set budgets.