The tragic events of September 11, 2001, have provided an impetus toward counter-terrorism and emergency management legislation in the United States. Attorney General John Ashcroft, at a meeting with Congressional leaders, stated that “we need every tool that is available to us to curtail the possibility of additional terrorists acts".   This statement has been the focal point of the Congress and executive branch. The present counter-terrorism and emergency management legislation available has sought to enact Federal, state, and local funding to combat terrorism. 

The President’s budget, scheduled to be released on February 4, 2002, will allocate a major portion to defend America and to fight terrorism.  The budget to fight terrorism is estimated to be at least $30 billion, which will double spending on homeland security.

Many of the bills that have been introduced encourage federal programs to prepare state and local governments for dealing with domestic terrorist attacks.  There are other bills that focus on military threats to America’s homeland security.  Two pieces of legislation introduced by both the Senate and House during the 107th session seek to strive for an international consensus with Israel for support to the end of terrorist attacks. 

Each of these bills is diverse, and seeks to address one or more aspects of terrorism.  There are nearly fifty legislative bills in this area that were introduced, issued, or signed into law by the 107th Congress within the past year.  The following table illustrates five examples of counter-terrorism and emergency management legislation, the current status, and a brief synopsis.  An explanation of why each piece of legislation was introduced is also provided in the table.
 
 

Legislation Number Current status of the Legislation Synopsis of Proposed Legislation
H. R. 28961(The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001) This bill was introduced on 9/14/2001 by Rep. Paul Ron. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill was then referred to the subcommittee on Aviation on 9/17/2001.   The goal of the bill is to provide for the safety of United States aviation and the suppression of terrorism.
1Congress had four main reasons for proposing H. R. 2896.  The following reasons were:          (1) On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked 4 civilian aircraft, crashing 2 of the aircraft into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, New York, and another of the aircraft into the Pentagon outside of Washington, D.C.  The fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania.          (2) Thousands of innocent people were killed or injured as a result of these attacks, including the passengers and crews of the 4 aircraft, workers in the World Trade Center and in the Pentagon, rescue workers, and bystanders.          (3) These attacks destroyed both towers of the World Trade Center, as well as adjacent buildings, and seriously damaged the Pentagon.           (4) These attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist attacks ever launched against the United States.
S.17512(Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2001) Sen. Phil Gramm introduced the bill on 11/30/01.  The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.   This bill will promote the stabilization of the economy by encouraging financial institutions to continue to support economic development, including development in urban areas, through the provision of affordable insurancecoverage against acts of terrorism, and for other purposes.
2 The purpose of this Act is to establish a temporary Federal program that provides for ashared public and private compensation system for insured losses resulting from acts of terrorism that seek to          (1) protect consumers by addressing market disruptions and ensure the continued widespread availability and affordability of property and casualty insurance for terrorism risk; and          (2) allow for a transitional period for the private markets to stabilize, resume pricing of such insurance, and build capacity to absorb any future losses, while preserving State insurance regulation and consumer protections.
H.R. 5253(Preparedness Against Domestic Terrorism Act of 2001) Rep. Wayne Gilchrest introduced the bill on 2/8/2001. The bill was          ordered to be reported by voice vote on 11/7/2001.     This Act seeks to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide for improved Federal efforts to prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks, and for other purposes.
3  This Act amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include snow droughts, acts of terrorism or other catastrophic events within its definition of "major disaster" for purposes of authorized disaster relief.  This act serves to attain the following objectives: · Requires the President to be responsible for carrying out Federal emergency preparedness plans and programs.  This includes a domestic terrorist attack involving a weapon of mass destruction.· Requires the President to ensure that Federal response plans and programs are adequate to respond to the consequences of terrorism directed against a target in the United States. Includes the development of equipment, clothing, and facilities within authorized preparedness measures.· Repeals provisions of the Act which: (1) allow State preparedness funds to be used to prepare for hazards and for providing emergency assistance in response to hazards; and (2) require the FEMA Director to establish emergency preparedness security regulations.
H.R.33574(Terrorism Risk Protection Act) Rep. Richard Armey introduced this bill on 11/28/01. This bill was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committees on the Judiciary, Ways and Means, and the Budget on 11/28/01.  The Speaker will decide which provisions fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. The purpose of the bill is to  ensure the continued financial capacity of insurers to provide coverage for risks from terrorism, and for other purposes.  This bill is particularly crucial to ensure that financial stability is provided for commercial property. This bill was proposed  in response to the World Trade Center incidents of September 11, 2001.
4This bill establishes more power to the Secretary of the Treasury to implement a financial assistance program for commercial property and casualty insurers when industry-wide insured losses from acts of terrorism exceed $1 billion.This bill expresses the awareness of Congress that acts of terrorism resulting in insured losses greater than $100 billion would necessitate further action by the Congress to address such additional losses.
H. CON. RES. 2805(Expressing solidarity with Israel in the fight against terrorism) Rep. Henry J. Hyde introduced this resolution on 12/4/01.  This resolution was referred to the Senate committee on 12/6/01.  This bill is expressing support with Israel in the fight against terrorism.
5 This resolution condemns the terrorist attacks resulting in the death of 26 and the wounding of at least 175 innocent people in Israel within 14 hours during December 1-2, 2001.  On January 27, 2002, a Palestinian woman became the first female to launch a bomb attack against Israel, killing herself and an 81-year-old Israeli man and wounding at least a dozen people on a busy Jerusalem street. The attack came two days after a Palestinian suicide bomber killed himself and wounded 24 people in a pedestrian mall in Israel.