Editorial: Congress has to say ‘no’ to the handouts

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001 | 8:40 a.m.

Congress has handed giveaways to big businesses and special interest groups that have been tucked inside anti-terrorism legislation. For instance, plane manufacturers, airlines and the World Trade Center's owners were able to get an amendment to the airport security bill that shields those companies from large damage awards from lawsuits connected to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The economic stimulus bill the House passed also contained unnecessary billion-dollar handouts to businesses through the repeal of the minimum tax imposed on corporations.

So it's no surprise that as Congress puts the finishing touches on a bioterrorism bill, the New York Times reports that special interest groups are trying to get that bill amended to provide them with help as well. For example, biotechnology companies -- citing Congress' recent decision to limit the nuclear power industry's liability in the event of nuclear power plant accidents or terrorist attacks -- want the government to insulate them as well from lawsuits seeking damages caused by injuries from "biological agent" vaccines.

Lobbyists will be looking to exploit every angle as anti-terrorism legislation is being drafted -- that's expected. But members of Congress should get a backbone and start rejecting handouts that are nothing more than corporate pork barrel.