October 06, 2004 | 9/11 Legislation Moving Fast

On Wednesday, the Senate passed it's version of the 9/11 recommendations by a vote of 96-2.

The bill is big, not just in size, but in the changes it will make to the country's intelligence service, information sharing and civil liberties/privacy atmosphere.

My take on the information sharing network is here. Civil liberties group's concerns can be found here is an open letter (.pdf) to Congress. A few members of the Markle Task Force, whose reports largely crafted this portion of the bill, responded to the privacy concerns here.

Also here's a couple of flashbacks (Wired News story, blog entry one and two) to a story on the privacy and civil liberties board the legislation would create (complementing the President's task force established in late August).

The House version (H.R. 10), which contains some very controversial provisions, will likely have a floor vote later this week. My story on those provisions is here.

It remains unclear whether libertarian-leaning conservatives will substantially modify the bill before passage (particularly the parts on standardizing drivers licenses), or what will happen (or not happen) when the bills go for reconciliation in conference.

It's very possible that this will be impossible, but my guess is some version will hit the president's desk before the election.

But have no doubt, this is the bill of the year and its ramifications, for both better and worse, will be felt for years to come.

Posted by Ryan Singel at October 6, 2004 09:01 PM