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Recovery: Differences remain over aviation security

New York is pondering the future of the World Trade Center site as it clears the rubble.

SUMMARY:

Americans will have to wait at least a week and probably much longer before Congress comes up with a plan to make U.S. airports safer. The head of the Federal Aviation Agency said Friday that until then, "we've got to stay particularly vigilant."

The GOP-controlled House on Thursday night passed its own aviation security plan instead of sending a Senate plan to President Bush for approval, throwing the issue to what is expected to be a contentious House-Senate conference committee.

UPDATE:

The House passed its version of the aviation security package by a 286-139 vote instead of the bill passed by the Senate 100-0 on October 11, the one-month anniversary of the World Trade Center and Pentagon terror attacks.

Jane Garvey, head of the FAA, said of the congressional delay, "We really do think there's an urgency in getting a bill passed quickly. We're very optimistic and still hopeful that it will be passed quickly." (Full story)

•  Summary   •  Update   •  Key questions   •  Impact

REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS   •  Emergency information   •  Partial list of victims   •  Victims story archives   •  Latest news

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

VIDEO Airport security is on the minds of many lawmakers, but Congress is divided on how best to proceed. CNN's Kate Snow reports (November 1) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

MORE STORIES

Congress should meet President Bush's demand for an economic stimulus package by November 30, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle says. It remains unclear how Democrats and Republicans will resolve their differences. (Full story)

Terror has taken a toll on tourism that fueled Washington's economy before the September 11 attacks. Seven weeks after, polls show that horrific images of crumbling towers and a flaming Pentagon have kept prospective visitors home and Washington's tourism industry in a slump, tourism experts say. (Full story)

The New York Fire Department awarded diplomas posthumously for the first time, to six graduates of its training academy. Empty chairs draped in purple bunting and blue FDNY uniform shirts were reserved for the six absentees who were among 343 firefighters killed in the World Trade Center collapse. (Full story)

The Federal Aviation Administration briefly closed one screening checkpoint at JFK International Airport in New York after agents became concerned that screeners were not following proper security procedures, an FAA spokeswoman said. (Full story)

The American Civil Liberties Union says it knows how to foil the high-tech face recognition systems that have been proposed for airports in Boston and other cities as part of the effort to catch suspected terrorists. But while the group argues they give a false sense of security, industry officials say they can spot criminals -- without violating anyone's basic rights. (Full story)

Followers of the Sikh faith say they have been unfairly singled out for elaborate security checks at airports, sometimes being forced to remove their turbans, an integral part of their religious identity.

KEY QUESTIONS:

What will be the long-range impact on the global airline industry? Click here for more

Are security breaches common at U.S. airports? What is the government doing to improve airport safety? Click here for more

How is Congress helping out in the recovery process? Click here for more

Are children able to grasp the severity of the September 11 attacks? How are they coping?

Will firefighters take greater precautions in rushing into burning buildings in the aftermath of the attacks?

How long will it take to reopen the damaged section of the Pentagon? At what cost? Click here for more

What will happen to the World Trade Center site? Click here for more

What measures will be taken to try to prevent a recurrence of such attacks? Click here for more

WHO'S WHO:

George W. Bush: U.S. president Click here for more.

Laura Bush: First lady of the United States, she has become more visible since the terrorist attacks, making public appearances urging parents and teachers to help reassure children that everything is being done to try to keep them safe. Click here for more

Tom Ridge: Director of the U.S. Office of Homeland Security, a new Cabinet-level position Click here for more

Richard Clarke: Head of efforts to safeguard information systems for the Office of Homeland Security Click here for more

Wayne Downing: Retired Army general tapped as deputy national security adviser Click here for more

Joe Allbaugh:The chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Click here for more

Dr. David Satcher: Surgeon General of the United States

Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan: Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Click here for more

Rudy Giuliani: Mayor of New York Click here for more

Michael Bloomberg: Republican candidate for mayor of New York
Mark Green: Democratic candidate for mayor of New York
The New York mayoral election is November 6, and the winner of the election will begin a four-year term at the beginning of 2002.

Anthony A. Williams: Mayor of Washington

Dr. Ivan Walks: Director of the Department of Health for the District of Columbia

Paul O'Neill: Treasury secretary

Norman Y. Mineta:Transportation secretary

Jane Garvey: FAA administrator

VICTIMS:

The latest figures provided by federal and local officials give the following totals for the number of people dead or missing from the September 11 attacks.

WORLD TRADE CENTER: According to New York City officials, 3,962 are missing, including the 157 people on the two hijacked planes; 490 bodies have been identified.

PENTAGON: 64 dead on hijacked plane; another 125 dead or missing

PENNSYLVANIA: 44 confirmed dead on hijacked plane

IMPACT:

The events of September 11 exposed the vulnerability of the world's greatest superpower, presenting the United States with the challenge of recovering emotionally and physically.

The U.S. economy, threatened by recession before September 11, has suffered a number of blows in the weeks since. Several industries -- particularly the airline industry -- were hit hard by the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, and leading economic indicators dropped in September. Yet the nation's financial markets have thus far weathered the uncertainty, making up losses experienced in the days after reopening.

Incidents of anthrax found in mail have frightened many, and the notable increase of security at offices and public places indicates America to be a warier, more cautious place. But daily life has not been put on hold: People are still attending entertainment events, going to ballgames, and getting out. Psychologically, the country appears to be finding its way.