The Senate last night passed legislation to implement the final recommendations of the September 11 Commission that includes the "John Doe" provision to protect airline passengers from being sued if they report suspicious behavior that foreshadows a terrorist attack.

The measure passed the Senate on a vote of 85-8, and final passage is expected later this afternoon in the House.

The White House has not issued a veto threat, however the Bush administration opposes one provision in the bill that would require funding appropriations for secret intelligence activity be made public.

The bill also changes the formula for Homeland Security grant distribution to ensure high-risk areas including the Captiol region get a larger share of funding, $4 billion for rail, transit and bus security, funding for interoperability communications, and it strengthens security measures for the Visa Waiver Program.

-- Audrey Hudson, homeland security reporter, The Washington Times