bump.

Quote:

March 4, 2004


House OKs 2-Month Extension for Panel Investigating 9/11 Attacks

From Associated Press


WASHINGTON — The House passed legislation Wednesday giving the federal commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks more time to finish its work.

Under the bill, approved by voice vote, the commission would receive 60 more days to issue its final report, or until July 26. The bipartisan panel also would have until Aug. 26 to wind down its business, a period when it declassifies information for public release.

The Senate passed the same version of the bill Friday. It now goes to President Bush for his signature; Bush last month said he supported a two-month extension.

Congress established the Sept. 11 panel — officially known as the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States — to study the nation's preparedness before the attacks and its response afterward, and to make recommendations to guard against similar disasters.

The commission was to finish its work May 27, but members last month asked for a two-month extension, citing repeated delays because of disputes with the Bush administration over access to witnesses and documents.



Quote:

February 28, 2004 E-mail story Print

Speaker Will Yield on 9/11 Panel Report

From Reuters


WASHINGTON — House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert withdrew his opposition Friday to giving a commission probing the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks more time to complete its work, lifting the main hurdle to a two-month extension.

In a letter to the commission, Hastert acknowledged that he had been reluctant to support an extension. But he said that since the commission under current law did not go out of existence until July 26, he would support allowing the panel to issue its report by then instead of May 27.

"I want your commission to do a thorough job, but I also believe that we must have your recommendations soon in order to give the Congress adequate time to act on them," the Illinois Republican said.

Hastert's reversal came on the same day the Senate approved legislation granting a two-month extension, and after two senators threatened to delay a highway funding bill if the House did not consider giving more time to the commission.

Hastert had opposed bringing to a vote legislation to grant the extension because it would delay the commission's recommendations and potentially politicize findings released at the height of the presidential campaign, his spokesman said.

The Democratic National Convention begins July 26 in Boston.


Last edited by whomod; 2004-03-05 7:06 AM.