Washington, D.C. – The Senate passed a bill today that would improve America's ability to track, find, and stop terrorists by strengthening the national intelligence community, according to U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.

The National Intelligence Reform conference report, S. 2845, reflects recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission Report. The Senate passed the measure by a vote of 89-2 Wednesday. The House passed the measure by a vote of 336-75 Tuesday.

"Our nation's intelligence structure must keep two steps ahead of those who seek to do us harm. Our ability to track, find, and stop terrorists must be dynamic. This bill moves us in that direction by readying our intelligence gathering agencies. The Cold War era of fighting is over. With this bill we've begun to employ new strategies as set forth in the 9/11 Commission Report," said Enzi. "The 9/11 Commission Report is like no other government document I have ever read. It reads like a novel and all Americans can benefit from reading it cover to cover. I encourage everyone to read the report."

The bill creates a new position for a Director of National Intelligence, confirmed by the Senate, who will serve as the President's chief intelligence advisor and manage the nation's intelligence community.

Community-wide intelligence analysis capabilities will also be expanded with the creation of a National Counterterrorism Center and an information sharing network. The center will exist to facilitate and promote the sharing of terrorism information with federal, state and local government agencies.

The bill also creates a Civil Liberties Board whose sole purpose is to oversee government implementation of security policies to ensure that privacy and civil liberty concerns are protected.

Enzi said the bill contains provisions that address immigration concerns, but he agrees more needs to be done.

"The issue of immigration reform received intense attention during debate on this bill and light was shone on further reforms that need to take place," said Enzi. "This bill does address immigration issues but is mainly about intelligence reform and information gathering. In the 109th Congress I look forward to working on legislation that deals solely with immigration reform to give this issue the full attention it deserves."

The intelligence bill would increase the number of full-time border patrol agents by 2,000 as well as increasing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents by 800 individuals between 2006 and 2010. Criminal penalties will also be increased for alien smuggling and harboring.

The bill will now be sent to the President for his signature.