Congressional Response to Terrorist Attacks

Congressional Response to Terrorist Attacks
URL: http://thomas.loc.gov/
By Kendall Clark


   I have been trying to determine how members of Congress have been
   spending their legislative time since the terrorist attacks on 11
   September. One way to do that is to read the speeches they've given.
   
   That was a terrible idea.
   
   The speeches are terrible, and I finally abandoned them to the
   historical obscurity they deserve, if for no other reason than to
   preserve my blood pressure and my sanity.
   
   Then it occurred to me to look at what Congress has been doing, and
   one way to do that is to look at the 100 plus bills that the House
   and Senate have either jointly or separately introduced, passed, or
   debated. Just to be clear: not all of this proposed legislation is
   or will become law. But it is a good indication of what Congress has
   been doing.
   
  12 September 2001
  
    Symbolic Reaction
    
   [1]H.C.R. 223 Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a
   prayer vigil in memory of those who lost their lives in the events
   of September 11, 2001.
   
   [2]H.C.R. 224 Expressing the sense of the Congress that, as a symbol
   of solidarity following the terrorist attacks on the United States
   on September 11, 2001, every United States citizen is encouraged to
   display the flag of the United States.
   
   [3]H.J.61 Expressing the sense of the Senate and House of
   Representatives regarding the terrorist attacks launched against the
   United States on September 11, 2001.
   
    Military Preparations
    
   [4]S.1416 To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2002 for
   military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
   construction, and for defense activities of the Department of
   Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for
   the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
   
    Foreign Relations
    
   [5]H.R.2877 To require that United States assistance may be provided
   to the government of a foreign country only if a treaty of
   extradition between that country and the United States is in force,
   or the government of that country and the United States have entered
   into negotiations to conclude a treaty of extradition.
   
  13 September 2001
  
    Declarations of War
    
   [6]H.J.R.62 Declaring a state of war between the United States and
   international terrorists and their sponsors.
   
   [7]H.J.R.63 Declaring that a state of war exists between the United
   States and any entity determined by the President to have planned,
   carried out, or otherwise supported the attacks against the United
   States on September 11, 2001, and authorizing the President to use
   United States Armed Forces and all other necessary resources of the
   United States Government against any such entity in order to bring
   the conflict to a successful termination.
   
    Symbolic Reactions
    
   [8]H.R.2886 To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the
   award of the Purple Heart to civilian employees of the Department of
   Defense who are killed or wounded by a terrorist attack.
   
    Victim Relief
    
   [9]H.R.2882 To provide for the expedited payment of certain benefits
   for a public safety officer who was killed or suffered a
   catastrophic injury as a direct and proximate result of a personal
   injury sustained in the line of duty in connection with the
   terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
   
   [10]H.R.2884 Victims of Terrorism Relief Act of 2001. To amend the
   Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief for victims of
   the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11,
   2001.
   
   [11]H.R.2888 Making emergency supplemental appropriations for 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, and for other purposes.
   
    Airline Industry
    
   [12]S.1421 To direct the Federal Aviation Administration to
   re-implement the sky marshal program within 30 days.
   
   [13]S.1422 To provide for the expedited payment of certain benefits
   for a public safety officer who was killed or suffered a
   catastrophic injury as a direct and proximate result of a personal
   injury sustained in the line of duty in connection with the
   terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
   
   [14]S.1429 To provide for the improvement of security at airports
   and seaports.
   
    Foreign Relations
    
   [15]H.R.2889 To lift the nuclear test sanctions against India.
   
    Military Financing
    
   [16]S.1430 To authorize the issuance of Unity Bonds in response to
   the acts of terrorism perpetrated against the United States on
   September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
   
   [17]S.1431 To authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to issue War
   Bonds in support of recovery and response efforts relating to the
   September 11, 2001 hijackings and attacks on the Pentagon and the
   World Trade Center, and for other purposes.
   
   [18]S.1432 To authorize the issuance of United States Defense of
   Freedom Bonds to aid in funding of the war against terrorism, and
   for other purposes.
   
  14 September 2001
  
    Domestic Security
    
   [19]H.R.2894 To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of
   1956 to increase the maximum amount of an award paid under the
   Department of State rewards program in connection with the attacks
   on the United States on September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
   
   [20]H.R.2898 To amend the Act of June 1, 1948 and July 5, 1994, to
   provide for reform of the Federal Protective Service, to enhance the
   safety and security of federal, state and local employees, members
   of the public at airports with any facilities under the control of
   the General Services Administration, or airports under the control
   of the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes.
   
    Airline Industry
    
   [21]H.R.2891 To preserve the continued viability of the United
   States air transportation system.
   
   [22]H.R.2895 To amend title 49, United States Code, to require that
   the screening of passengers and property on flights in air
   transportation be carried out by employees of the Federal Aviation
   Administration, to expand the Federal Air Marshal program of the
   Federal Aviation Administration, to establish requirements for
   carry-on baggage on flights in air transportation, and for other
   purposes.
   
   [23]H.R.2896 To provide for the safety of United States aviation and
   the suppression of terrorism.
   
    Symbolic Reaction
    
   [24]H.C.R.227 Condemning bigotry and violence against
   Arab-Americans, American Muslims, and Americans from South Asia in
   the wake of terrorist attacks in New York City, New York, and
   Washington, D.C., on September 11, 2001.
   
   [25]H.C.R.230 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the
   establishment of a National Day of Remembrance.
   
   [26]H.C.R.238 Condemning any price gouging with respect to motor
   fuels during the hours and days after the terrorist acts of
   September 11, 2001.
   
   [27]H.C.R.239 Providing Capitol-flown flags to each surviving
   victim, and the family of each deceased victim, of the terrorist
   attacks which occurred on September 11, 2001.
   
    Victim Relief
    
   [28]H.C.R.228 Expressing the sense of the Congress that the children
   who lost one or both parents or a guardian in the September 11,
   2001, World Trade Center and Pentagon tragedies (including the
   aircraft crash in Somerset County, Pennsylvania) should be provided
   with all necessary assistance, services, and benefits and urging the
   heads of Federal agencies responsible for providing such assistance,
   services and benefits to give the highest possible priority to
   providing such assistance, services and benefits to those children.
   
   [29]H.R.2897 To provide for the granting of posthumous citizenship
   to certain aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence who died
   as a result of the hijackings of 4 commercial aircraft, the attacks
   on the World Trade Center, or the attack on the Pentagon, on
   September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
   
    Authorizations of Force
    
   [30]H.J.R.64 To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces
   against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against
   the United States.
   
  17 September 2001
  
    War Financing
    
   [31]H.R.2899 War Bonds Act of 2001 To authorize the Secretary of the
   Treasury to issue War Bonds in support of recovery and response
   efforts relating to the September 11, 2001 hijackings and attacks on
   the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, and for other purposes.
   
   [32]H.R.2900 Victory Bonds Act of 2001 To authorize the issuance of
   Victory Bonds in response to the acts of terrorism perpetrated
   against the United States on September 11, 2001, and for other
   purposes.
   
  19 September 2001
  
    Symbolic Reaction
    
   [33]S.C.R.66 To express the sense of the Congress that the Public
   Safety Officer Medal of Valor should be awarded to public safety
   officers killed in the line of duty in the aftermath of the
   terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
   
    Victim Relief
    
   [34]H.R.2902 Phoenix Fund for Victim Assistance Act of 2001 To amend
   the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate
   that part or all of any income tax refund be paid over to a Phoenix
   Fund for Victim Assistance.
   
    Erosion of Civil Liberties
    
   [35]S.1435 To provide that covert investigative practices involving
   Federal attorneys in criminal investigations and prosecutions shall
   not be considered dishonest, fraudulent, deceitful, or
   misrepresentative, and for other purposes.
   
  20 September 2001
  
    Symbolic Reaction
    
   [36]H.R.2916 To authorize the President to award posthumously the
   Congressional Gold Medal to the passengers and crew of United
   Airlines flight 93 in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the
   United States on September 11, 2001.
   
   [37]H.R.2917 To authorize the President to award gold medals on
   behalf of Congress to the people aboard United Airlines Flight 93
   who helped resist the hijackers and caused the plane to crash
   prematurely.
   
   [38]H.R.2921 To authorize the President to award posthumously the
   Congressional Gold Medal to Jeremy Glick of West Milford, New
   Jersey, a passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 93 for acts of
   bravery, courage, and patriotism.
   
    Victim Relief
    
   [39]H.R.2905 To require that the United States Postal Service issue
   a special commemorative postage stamp under section 416 of title 39,
   United States Code, in order to provide assistance in the case of
   emergency relief personnel who were killed or who suffer permanent
   disability as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United
   States on September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
   
   [40]H.R.2907 To provide for the issuance of a semipostal for the
   benefit of victims of the terrorist attacks against the United
   States on September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
   
    Airline Industry
    
   [41]H.R.2909 To direct the Federal Aviation Administration to
   re-implement the sky marshal program within 30 days, and for other
   purposes.
   
   [42]H.R.2913 To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the
   Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to carry out
   the screening of passengers and property on flights in air
   transportation, and for other purposes.
   
    Erosion of Civil Liberties
    
   [43]H.R.2915 To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to
   the interception of communications, and for other purposes.

References

   1. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.C.R.223:
   2. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.C.R.224:
   3. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.J.61:
   4. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.1416:
   5. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2877:
   6. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.J.R.62:
   7. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.J.R.63:
   8. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2886:
   9. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2882:
  10. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2884:
  11. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2888:
  12. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.1421:
  13. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.1422:
  14. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.1429:
  15. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2889:
  16. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.1430:
  17. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.1431:
  18. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.1432:
  19. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2894:
  20. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2898:
  21. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2891:
  22. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2895:
  23. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2896:
  24. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.C.R.227:
  25. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.C.R.230:
  26. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.C.R.238:
  27. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.C.R.239:
  28. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.C.R.228:
  29. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2897:
  30. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.J.R.64:
  31. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2899:
  32. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2900:
  33. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.C.R.66:
  34. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2902:
  35. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.1435:
  36. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2916:
  37. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2917:
  38. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2921:
  39. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2905:
  40. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2907:
  41. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2909:
  42. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2913:
  43. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2915:


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Posted on Monkeyfist at http://monkeyfist.com/articles/783