| War Scrambles Congress Agenda | |
Dateline: 09/20/01
The terrorist attack of Sept. 11, scrambled the agenda of Congress, transforming the 2002 federal budget into a $2 trillion trivial pursuit and promising a long-extended legislative session.
At 8:45 am EDT on Sept. 11, 2001 U.S. Senators were engaged in hot debate on S. 1215 - the 2000 spending bill for the USDA, FDA and related agencies. Like most of the remaining 12 spending bills for 2002, days of debate, amendments and razor-close party-line votes lay ahead. At the same time, two hours of terror that will forever Change America began in New York City.
When Congress reconvened on Sept. 13, the Senate passed the USDA, FDA spending bill by a vote of 97-0, without a word of debate.
Clearly, legislation to deal with terrorism and recovery from the attacks on New York and the Pentagon will scramble Congress' agenda for weeks to come.
Attorney General Ashcroft is pressing for passage this week of a package of measures easing restrictions on federal law enforcement agencies, thus making it easier for them to investigate and prosecute terrorists.
The package requested by Ashcroft would allow agents to obtain a "blanket" wiretap order allowing them to gather information from all sources of a suspect's electronic communications and modification of the statute of limitations for prosecuting terrorism. He will also ask for legislation allowing the use of federal money-laundering laws to prosecute persons who contribute financial support to terrorist activities.
While Congressional leaders have indicate they would set other business aside for the anti-terrorism legislation, consideration is not expected until next week.
After a proposed $15 billion bill to assist the airlines in recovering from losses suffered due to the terrorist attacks was voted down in the House on Saturday, Sept. 15, President Bush met with Congressional leaders and airline officials to come up with a compromise. The result is an other $15 billion relief package including: Between $2.5 billion and $5 billion in direct cash payments, $12.5 billion in loan guarantees and delayed quarterly tax payments. The new bill could reach Congress by Friday, Sept. 21. The airline industry has requested $24 billion in assistance.
Congress may get back to work on the 2002 budget during the week of Sept. 24 as lawmakers try to decide how the $40 billion emergency supplemental spending measure (HR 2888) to assist in recovery and otherwise dealing with the terrorist attacks will affect spending for other programs. The emergency spending bill was passed unanimously by both House and Senate on Friday, Sept. 14, just three days after the attack.
Look for lawmakers to accomplish little more on the budget next week that to begin passing a series of continuing resolutions extending funding for government programs beyond Sept. 30, the end of the current federal fiscal year.
Terrorism-related legislation already passed by Congress since the day of the attacks include:
S.J. RES. 23 - to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States.
H.R. 2888 - making available $40 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year 2001 for additional disaster assistance, for anti-terrorism initiatives, and for assistance in the recovery from the tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001.
S.J. RES. 22 - condemning the terrorist attacks of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001.
President Bush has signed all three measures into law.
In addition, President Bush issued this Executive Order declaring a national emergency and authorizing him to call military reserve troops up to active duty. The president subsequently called up 35,000 reservists to provide homeland defense and civil support services in a program officially named Operation Noble Eagle.
In a "normal" legislative year, the federal budget is completed by Sept. 30 and Congress adjourns for the year during the first week of October. On Sept. 11, 2001, this became anything but a "normal" year.
