President Bush has stepped up pressure on members of his own party in Congress to pass an intelligence reform bill before it adjourns for the year.

In his weekly radio address Saturday, Mr. Bush called on lawmakers to create a national intelligence director with full budget authority over the nation's intelligence agencies.

The opposition has come from key leaders within the president's own Republican party, who object to portions of the bill that would overhaul 15 spy agencies.

Those objections focus on preserving the military chain of command and the flow of intelligence to troops in the field.

Analysts say the bill would likely pass in its current form with support from Democrats if a vote were held.

Embracing many of the recommendations from the independent commission investigating the September 11 attacks, the president said the legislation presents a clear and sensible path towards needed intelligence reforms.