House approves Chambliss-sponsored bill to improve sharing of information

WASHINGTON - The House Wednesday approved a bill to improve information sharing between the FBI, the CIA, governors, mayors and state and local law enforcement officers and firefighters. <br> <br> Information-sharing procedures would be put in place within six months under the bill introduced by Representatives Saxby Chambliss, a Georgia Republican, and Jane Harman, a Democrat from California. Any classified information would be edited so that it can be shared with state and local authorities. It passed by a vote of 422-2. <br> <br> In addition, Senator Joseph Lieberman, chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, said in a speech that a strong link should be established between the Pentagon&#39;s new Northern Command -- tasked with protecting North America -- and the new Homeland Security Department. <br> <br> Lieberman, a Connecticut Democrat, also recommended that the Bush administration direct the National Guard to focus more on domestic defense, including air patrols over cities and training for local police, firefighters and emergency technicians.