Terrorism Insurance Bill Stalls Despite Bush's Plea

WASHINGTON, DC-President George W. Bush called on the US Senate to act on terrorism legislation Monday, the day Congress reconvened following its spring recess, in a meeting with business leaders at the White House’s Executive Office Building. But immediate reaction among Republicans and Democrats–who cannot agree on victims’ right to sue–appear to be stuck right where they were before Bush’s entreaty.

“Banks and investors, and others, will not finance construction projects that do not have terrorism insurance,” Bush explained. “And when you see construction–non-residential construction permitting down to the extent to which it is, it is a problem. And I expect the Congress to act.” Since the US House of Representatives has already passed its version of the legislation, the president was aiming his remarks directly at the Senate. He noted that non-residential construction for the month of February had decreased 17% from the same period in 2001.