Congress forced to shift priorities

Benjamin Grove

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2001 | 10:59 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Congress this week is sorting through its legislative priorities, now that attention in the nation's capital has shifted to last week's terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Lawmakers traditionally attempt to adjourn for the year in October, but their schedule is now uncertain. The status of budget battles, important spending bills and legislation on education, trade, energy and health care reform is unclear.

Lawmakers have said a top priority will be finalizing 11 appropriations bills that set budgets for the nation's federal agencies and must be approved Oct. 1, the beginning of the new fiscal year.

Congress is not in session today in observance of Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah. Lawmakers return later this week.

Congress last week approved $40 billion in emergency spending for victims and cleanup, as well as a resolution of support for President Bush using "necessary and appropriate force" in response to the attacks. Nevada's delegation supported both measures.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., has delayed a trip he planned to two national laboratories in New Mexico to assess terrorist threats to the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. Reid will reschedule the trip, possibly next month, spokesman Nathan Naylor said. Logistical snags and scheduling conflicts with other senators delayed the trip, Naylor said.

Immediately after last week's attacks, Reid said America needed a new independent office for a national anti-terrorism czar to help coordinate counterterrorism strategy.

Late last week Reid said he was satisfied with a newly struck compromise among senators -- the creation of a new position within the Department of Justice, a deputy attorney general who would coordinate anti-terrorism programs at the departments of Justice, Defense, Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., back in Las Vegas until later this week, held a press conference Monday to update people on the city's response to terrorist threats.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., a member of the House Intelligence Committee, is monitoring the latest information from Reno, where his family lives. He plans to return to Washington on Thursday, chief of staff Michael Dayton said.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., also is in Las Vegas until later this week, spokeswoman Traci Scott said. He spoke at several churches Sunday.