Lawmakers who oversee intelligence have said they will ask Mr. Goss about these events.

Under the final agreement, the specialized sub-councils overseeing the police, the army and intelligence would operate by 75 percent majorities.

It will be judging its own fitness to oversee intelligence.

That vote sends an unfortunate message: Instead of overseeing intelligence, the committee chose to look the other way.

It oversees naval intelligence, strategic and tactical planning, logistics, liaison, and political lobbying on the Navy's behalf.

Long before the crisis in Moscow there were calls by critics and the Congressional committees that oversee intelligence for more comprehensive reform of the intelligence services.

Colom defeated Otto Pérez Molina, a conservative former general who had once overseen military intelligence.

But other recommendations, like the idea of a cabinet-level official to oversee intelligence, could meet resistance from the Bush administration.

Congress appears to be moving with less urgency on the commission's suggestion that both houses change the way they oversee intelligence and domestic security.

The decision assigned to the department some five major tasks, including those of overseeing CCP counter-intelligence work and intelligence.