US lawmakers reach deal on intelligence reforms

Resolving the issue clears the way for the House of Representatives and Senate to pass the legislation that creates a new director of national intelligence post, and send the bill to President Bush for his signature.

After last-minute appeals by Bush, House and Senate negotiators said they had agreed on language resolving differences over the military chain of command.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, a California Republican, and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner, a Virginia Republican, said they would now support the legislation.

Both Hunter and Warner had objected that a compromise negotiated between the House and Senate could undermine intelligence to battlefield commanders.