Home > News & Policies > September 2001

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 13, 2001

Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives
September 12, 2001

     Yesterday, evil and despicable acts of terror were perpetrated against our fellow citizens. Our way of life, indeed our very freedom, came under attack. Our first priority is to respond swiftly and surely. We need to do so in a way that will make Americans proud, especially those heroes who are struggling so valiantly to deal with yesterday's tragedy.

     Immediate steps are being taken to protect our citizens at home and around the world.  I implemented our Government's emergency response plans, and the functions of our Government continue without interruption.  I have directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice.

     Now Congress must act.  I ask the Congress to immediately pass and send to me the enclosed request for $20,000,000,000 in FY 2001 emergency appropriations to provide resources to address the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001, and the consequences of such attacks.  Passing this supplemental appropriations bill without delay will send a powerful signal of unity to our fellow Americans and to the world.  If additional resources are necessary, I will forward another request for additional funding.

     I designate the entire amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended.

                               Sincerely,

                               GEORGE W. BUSH

                                 # # #

                     EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

                             Unanticipated Needs

     For additional expenses, $20,000,000,000, to remain available until expended, to respond to the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001, to provide assistance to the victims of those attacks and to address other consequences of such attacks, to include providing:  the costs of Federal, State, and local preparedness for mitigating and responding to the attacks; support to counter, investigate, or prosecute domestic or international terrorism; and, increased transit security, repair facilities and transit systems damaged by the attacks and supporting national security:  Provided, That these funds may be transferred to any authorized Federal Government activity to meet the needs resulting from such attacks:  Provided further, That the Congress designates the entire amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended:  Provided further, That the President shall consult with the Chairmen and Ranking Minority Members of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the allocation of these funds: Provided further, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall provide quarterly reports to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the use of these funds, beginning no later than January 2, 2002:  Provided further, That the President shall submit to the Congress as soon as practicable detailed requests to meet any further funding requirements.

     The entire amount requested has been designated by the President as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control act of 1985, as amended.

                             GENERAL PROVISIONS

     Sec. ____.  Funds appropriated by this Act, or made available by the transfer of funds in this Act, for intelligence activities are deemed to be specifically authorized by the Congress for purposes of section 504 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 414).