By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – U.S. Senator Kit Bond said the next Director of National Intelligence should have more authority to oversee the nation's various intelligence agencies.
John Negroponte is leaving the post now that President Bush has nominated him Deputy Secretary of State.
Bond, who is now vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he and Democrat John Rockefeller will probably file legislation to give the DNI more power.
The Missouri Republican said under current law, which he did not support, the intelligence chief has plenty of responsibility, but little authority.
"Many of the agencies still keep their information to themselves," Bond said. "He doesn't have the power to make heads roll if they don't work."
Mr. Bush has nominated retired admiral Mike McConnell to take over the top intelligence job.
Bond said at the end of the month the Intelligence Committee will hold both open and closed hearings on revamping the DNI post.