Office of the Press Secretary

September 13, 2001

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



Yesterday, evil and despicable acts of terror were perpetrated against our fellowcitizens. Our way of life, indeed our very freedom, came under attack. Our first priorityis to respond swiftly and surely. We need to do so in a way that will make Americansproud, especially those heroes who are struggling so valiantly to deal with yesterday'stragedy.

Immediate steps are being taken toprotect our citizens at home and aroundthe world.I implemented ourGovernment's emergency responseplans, and the functions of ourGovernment continue withoutinterruption.I have directed the fullresources of our intelligence and lawenforcement communities to find thoseresponsible and to bring them to justice.

Now Congress must act.I ask the Congress to immediately pass and send to methe enclosed request for $20,000,000,000 in FY 2001 emergency appropriations toprovide resources to address the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurredon September 11, 2001, and the consequences of such attacks.Passing thissupplemental appropriations bill without delay will send a powerful signal of unity to ourfellow Americans and to the world.If additional resources are necessary, I will forwardanother request for additional funding.

I designate the entire amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to section251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, asamended.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH

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EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Unanticipated Needs

For additional expenses, $20,000,000,000, to remain available until expended, torespond 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 otherconsequences of such attacks, to include providing:the costs of Federal, State, andlocal preparedness for mitigating and responding to the attacks; support to counter,investigate, or prosecute domestic or international terrorism; and, increased transitsecurity, repair facilities and transit systems damaged by the attacks and supportingnational security:Provided, That these funds may be transferred to any authorizedFederal Government activity to meet the needs resulting from such attacks:Providedfurther, That the Congress designates the entire amount as an emergency requirementpursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency DeficitControl Act of 1985, as amended:Provided further, That the President shall consultwith the Chairmen and Ranking Minority Members of the House and SenateCommittees on Appropriations on the allocation of these funds: Provided further, theDirector of the Office of Management and Budget shall provide quarterly reports to theHouse and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the use of these funds, beginningno later than January 2, 2002:Provided further, That the President shall submit to theCongress as soon as practicable detailed requests to meet any further fundingrequirements.

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

GENERAL PROVISIONS

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