Terrorist Attacks Change Congressional Agenda.(pro-life agenda items pending)

WASHINGTON (Oct. 8, 2001) -- The September 11 terrorist attacks have changed the agenda of Congress, at least for the rest of this year.

Legislation dealing with many important issues has been set aside for the time, as Congress concentrates on bills dealing with national security and with the economic disruptions growing out of the attacks.

In addition, lawmakers are working to pass the 13 appropriations bills that are needed to fund federal agencies for fiscal year 2002, which began on October 1. The government is currently operating on a temporary funding measure that expires on October 18.

Many lawmakers wish to adjourn for the year as soon as the appropriations process is completed.

Since the attacks, the leaders of both parties have striven to present a picture of national unity to the American public and to other nations. To that end, they have largely avoided open conflicts on contentious issues. The mood was described by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), chairman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, in a quote in the September 17 issue of the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call: "There is a feeling that this is not a time to have disagreement on issues. All those issues for the moment are suspended while the spotlight shines on this emergency and this catastrophe."

Human Cloning Ban

The desire for unity and the widespread hope for early adjournment - - perhaps before the end of October - - have worked to the disadvantage of pro-life forces on the issue of human cloning.