The Senate’s most senior member, Robert Byrd, has called on Congress to create an independent Iraq intelligence commission because he questions the independence of the panel appointed by President Bush. Byrd said, “The President has described the panel that he created as being an independent commission. Well, nothing could be further from the truth.”

Meanwhile, The Hill is reporting that the White House is rebuffing a request by Senator John McCain to give the president-appointed Iraq intelligence commission power to subpoena records.

And CIA Director George J. Tenet is appearing today for questioning on Iraq intelligence in a closed session of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee in closed session yesterday.