Bill eyed to probe warning failures

House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt yesterday announced he will introduce a bill to create a blue-ribbon panel to investigate the September 11 terrorist attacks in the wake of reports that Democrats were retreating from their criticism of the Bush administration.

"I hope the president will work with us," the Missouri Democrat said. "I hope the Republican majority will agree with me that this legislation deserves immediate consideration."
Vice President Richard B. Cheney reiterated Sunday that the White House opposes an independent investigation because it could reveal sensitive intelligence.
And congressional Republicans said yesterday they likely have the votes to block the creation of such a panel. Many Republicans favor going forward solely with a joint investigation by the House and Senate intelligence committees.