For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 3, 2002
Presidential Letter on TSA Funds
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives
July 1, 2002
Dear Mr. Speaker:
In order to fulfill urgent requirements for civil aviation
security, I am notifying the Congress of my intent to reallocate funds
previously transferred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) from the Emergency Response Fund. These funds will now be
allocated to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in
accordance with the provisions of Public Law 107-38, the Emergency
Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery from and Response to
Terrorist Attacks on the United States, FY 2001.
In addition, I am further revising my request for supplemental
funding originally transmitted on March 21st to account for this
transfer by adjusting my Administration's request for supplemental
funding for FEMA and for TSA. This will ensure that FEMA has the full
resources necessary to meet my commitment to the recovery of New York.
As provided in Public Law 107-38, the $270 million to be
transferred will be made available immediately to TSA to continue its
civil aviation security responsibilities.
This is the second time I have arranged a "bridge loan" from FEMA
to TSA to allow the Congress to complete action on my March 21st
emergency supplemental request. This option will not be available a
third time, since FEMA has no additional remaining unobligated funds
from Public Law 107-38. It is imperative that the Congress quickly
pass an acceptable emergency supplemental bill to prevent a disruption
of commercial air travel.
I hereby designate the revised requests contained in the
accompanying material as emergency requirements pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act
of 1985, as amended.
The details of these actions are set forth in the enclosed letter
from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. I concur with
his comments and recommendations.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
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