Today the
Congress passed the "Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act
for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United
States, FY 2001." The President will sign this bill into law shortly.
In the aftermath of these unspeakable tragedies, the President
and the Congress have shown their mutual commitment to ensuring
that the Nation has the resources to respond to and recover from
the attacks and to protect our national security.
The supplemental
appropriations bill provides $40 billion for "emergency expenses
to respond to the terrorist attacks on the United States that
occurred on September 11, 2001." Departments and agencies should
continue to take all steps necessary to respond swiftly to urgent
requirements and to alleviate human endangerment and suffering.
All agency costs directly related to these terrorist attacks will
be reimbursed. If you have any questions about the availability
of funding, please consult your OMB contact.
The Congress
has given us extraordinary authority and funding to address this
crisis. It is incumbent on us to see that every dollar of these
resources is used for the intended purposes and is fully accounted
for. Attached for your information are guidelines that OMB will
use in identifying and evaluating with you those areas where the
funding enacted today should be targeted. These guidelines have
been adapted, usually verbatim, from the procedures followed in
response to previous emergencies, including Desert Storm, the
Northridge earthquake, and the Northwest floods of 1997. A proposed
activity is not expected to meet each of these guidelines but,
if a request appears to violate one or more, it will be given
very close scrutiny.
As the President
stated on Tuesday, these attacks "will require our country to
unite in steadfast determination and resolve." The emergency funding
approved today will enable the government to express that resolve
through swift and decisive action. If additional appropriations
are required, the President will work with the Congress to ensure
that all resources necessary to deal with these attacks are available.
Attachment