Jonathan Karl: News from Capitol Hill

Jonathan Karl is a congressional correspondent for CNN. He joined the CNN.com chat room from Washington, D.C. CNN: Do Democrats and Republicans agree on anything with regards to the proposed economic stimulus packages?

JONATHAN KARL: Not much! We really have the clearest old traditional left-right split that we have seen on any issue since September 11, and even before. There are some areas of slight agreement on both sides, for instance to provide for quicker depreciation for businesses, and both sides say something needs to be done and done soon to save the economy.

CNN: One Democratic aide says the GOP proposal will make votes as 'painful as possible' for Democrats on the Hill. How?

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KARL: I'm not sure what Democratic aide you're talking about, but both sides have looked at the economic news, which of course has been bad, and have retreated to familiar ideological ground. Both sides are wondering who will pay the political price if in the end, nothing gets done.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: How is the House of Representatives reacting to the horrific story out of Chicago about the guy that got through airport security with knives and a stun gun? Will that make them rethink their vote on federalizing airport security?

KARL: Well, certainly the proponents of federalization of airport screeners point to Chicago as evidence that they are right. But the Republicans who voted the other way are not necessarily acknowledging that. They say their plan would significantly change airport security, and that it wouldn't be the same under the Republican bill. You'd still have private companies doing airport screening, but under much stricter federal control. So, Chicago has added urgency to the debate, but hasn't necessarily changed any minds.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: Is there any discussion on the proposal of temporarily suspending sales tax?

KARL: Very interesting proposal. It would allow for ten days of sales-tax-free shopping after Thanksgiving. But, you know, there are five states who don't have sales tax, and one of those states happens to be Montana, which just happens to be where the chairman of the powerful Senate finance committee is from. So, as appealing as that idea may sound to some, Chairman Max Baucus is not a fan, and others say the idea is simply too complicated and not worth it.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: how has the increased security affected day-to-day operations on Capitol Hill?

KARL: There are new barriers everywhere up here. It's not unusual to see security guards wearing gloves as they look through your bags when you walk in. Capitol police are working 12-16 hour days, soon to be relieved by the National Guard. So, there's a much different look and feel to life on Capitol Hill, and no tours, by the way. It's a much less crowded building. The continued closure of the Hart building because of the anthrax situation has thrown fifty U.S. senators out of their offices.

CNN: How will the Senate and the House get around the federal employee issue for security screenings when those bills go to conference.

KARL: That's a great question. The conference meets today for the first time at 4 p.m. EST, with no clear sense of where to find the common ground. Democrats, led by Senator Hollings, have been adamant that their approach, which makes all those screeners at the airports federal employees, passed 100-0. Senator Hollings has made it clear he's not in the mood to compromise on security. So it's a wait and see.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: Has anyone in Congress come out for democratizing the Middle East in opposition to the President?

KARL: There have been some who have wondered about U.S. policy towards undemocratic regimes in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, where in the eyes of some, the leadership has not much support among the people, and has not been particularly helpful to the U.S. But by and large during this time of crisis, the Congress has been very supportive of the President when it comes to international issues.

CNN: Jonathan, what exactly is being done to clean up the office buildings? Are they literally washing offices?

KARL: They are in a bit of a state of confusion about all of that, because the original plan was to "gas" the entire Hart Building, and that plan has been now rejected as unfeasible. So, in the areas directly hit, they will be using both foam cleaner and the gas, chlorine dioxide gas. They will also be using the gas throughout the ventilation system in the Hart Building.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: With the mid-term elections only a year away, how do you think the war on terrorism will affect the campaigns?

KARL: There are a couple of schools of thought on that. One is that the war on terrorism highlights issues where Republicans are traditionally stronger, issues like national defense and law enforcement, and it has put issues where Democrats are traditionally stronger, healthcare, education, for example, on the back burner. If that's true, Republicans should do well. But, there are a couple of other factors. One is the slumping economy, which if history is any guide, will be blamed on the party that controls the White House. There's also the historic trend that in a mid term election, the President's party loses seats in Congress. But what everybody will tell you right now, there is simply no way to predict where this country will be politically 12 months from now.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: What proposals are on the table in regard to a change in our immigration policies,

KARL: There are a number of proposals circulating, especially in the way of toughening up the requirements for things like student visas, and for putting tighter controls on immigration, although not limiting it. One thing this has done is move to the back burner the idea of immigration reform regarding Mexico.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: What is happening behind the scenes with energy policy?

KARL: Well, behind the scenes, and for that matter, in front of the scenes, Republicans are pushing hard to pass an energy bill that includes drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Republicans see this as both an opportunities to get another source of oil, and an opportunity to create new jobs. In making that argument, they have no stronger ally than unions such as the Teamsters. Publicly, Tom Daschle says that he would like to have a Senate vote on energy this year if possible, but privately, Democrats say that that is unlikely.

CNN: Do you have any closing comments to share with us?

KARL: Stay tuned for a major showdown between Congress and the President on the issue of government spending and economic stimulus. When the President threatened last night to veto any additional spending this year, he met resistance not only from the Democratic leadership, but the very powerful Republican leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations committees. This will be the most significant and difficult political showdown we have seen since September 11, and it may prove the old adage that in Congress there are three political parties, Democrats, Republicans, and Appropriators. Stay tuned.

CNN: Thank you for joining us today.

KARL: Look forward to seeing you next week!

Jonathan Karl joined the chat room via telephone from Washington, DC and CNN.com provided a typist. The above is an edited transcript of the interview on Wednesday, November 07, 2001 at 2 p.m. EST.