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Antiterrorism bill before Senate; federal deficits expected

SUMMARY:

In the wake of news that annual federal deficits will be a feature of the economy of the United States until 2005, the U.S. House of Representatives has limited its antiterrorism package to $20 billion and approved the measure, leaving the bill to the Senate's consideration.

UPDATE:

Terror has taken its toll on the U.S. economy, ending four consecutive years of surpluses. The Associated Press reported the Bush administration has made its first public acknowledgement that federal deficits will return for at least three years.

"It is regrettably my conclusion that we are unlikely to return to balance in the federal accounts before possibly fiscal '05," said White House Budget Director Mitchell Daniels in a speech at the National Press Club. He added, "Things will have to break right for us to do that."

Late Wednesday, congressmen bowed to pressure from President Bush and reined in their desire to spend more money for antiterrorism. The package was limited to $20 billion.

A lopsided vote of 406 to 20 sent the measure to the Senate for approval. Bush opposed the Democratic push for more spending, and the Republicans' successful move to rebuff the Democratic bid helped avoid a potential veto showdown over the measure. (Full story)

A small Alabama town continues to rally behind a family whose son, a CIA operative, was the first U.S. combat fatality in Afghanistan. The parents of the late Johnny Michael "Mike" Spann praised the agent as a hero. (Full story)

There are no new reports of anthrax cases. The investigation into the death of 94-year-old widow Ottilie Lundgren, who contracted inhalation anthrax, has produced no solid clues about how she became exposed and is at a "dead end," Connecticut Gov. John Rowland said. (Full story)

•  Summary   •  Update   •  Key questions   •  Who's who   •  Victims   •  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

KEY QUESTIONS:

What order did President Bush give that allows for the detention of terrorism suspects? Click here for more

Could the detainees be held for years? Click here to learn more on one case

Learn about one tool the FBI may be using to investigate suspects.

What is the government doing to fortify homeland defense? Click here for more

What are tips to know in the wake of the 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: Mayor-elect of New York

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 numbers of people dead or missing from the September 11 attacks.

WORLD TRADE CENTER: According to New York City officials, 3,478 people are missing and presumed dead, including the 157 on the two hijacked planes; and 453 bodies have been identified.

PENTAGON: 64 dead on hijacked plane; another 125 missing and presumed dead

PENNSYLVANIA: 44 confirmed dead on hijacked plane

IMPACT:

The attacks of September 11 have sparked new debate about balancing the protection of U.S. citizens with the protection of the civil rights of those suspected of terrorism.

While the United States is proud of the freedoms and the legal rights guaranteed by the Constitution, authorities and many citizens have argued those people who seek to destroy America do not deserve such protections while they represent an ongoing threat to the country.

While those arguments continue, so do the threats against U.S. interests. Security remains high at airports, certain industries and many government facilities.

Those who lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks are a little closer to getting compensated from a special federal fund now that someone has been appointed to determine the size of individual awards.