I think that Safire is adding 2 + 2 to get five here. That language is related to DARPA, and DARPA is not even mentioned in HR 5005. The government envisions such a database to investigate terrorist networks. But no such critter exists yet, and I don't think the technology is there yet. The Defense Department Authorization allocates funds to DARPA to encourage research towards such a database. But, IMO, the Homeland Security Bill as passed by the House does NOT contain legal provisions to authorize the government to collect ALL credit card transaction data (as opposed to the $10,000+ threshhold established by the Patriot Act, of which the vast majority of businesses in this country are NOT aware, so the feds have extended the deadline for implementation).