(2003-08-13) -- New legislation requiring a Presidential "finding" for so-called "special ops" by U.S. military forces will help prevent terror attacks, according to a Senate source.

The finding, similar to that used for covert intelligence operations, would have to be sent to the Senate before the special operations force could be deployed.

"By forcing the President to send his finding to the Senate, we'll slow down special ops," said an unnamed Senate staffer. "We never want to startle our enemies, because it upsets them and gives them a reason to attack us."

Since Senators will have the Presidential finding before the special military operation, they can anonymously leak information to the media, thus ensuring that the enemy won't be surprised by the action.

"Our national defense depends on reducing things we do that might anger our enemies," said the source.