Federal Disaster Policies After Terrorist Strike: Issues and Options for Congress

Publication Date: June 2002

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

As a result of the terrorist attacks of 2001, a plethora of legislation has been enacted and continues to be considered by the 107th Congress to address homeland security and emergency management issues. Much of the debate in and out of Congress focuses on legislation that addresses policies and practices intended to prevent future attacks. Congress is also considering other policy issues, including those that would be implicated should another attack occur, despite the best prevention and deterrence efforts. How will the federal government respond to the short- and long-term needs of stricken communities? Such policies guide federal consequence management actions.

This report, prepared at congressional request, is intended to assist Congress as it considers options for consequence management legislation. The report collects and examines information on federal policies that would be implemented in the event that other terrorist attacks occur. It then asks about each of these policies: Based on experiences gained thus far, should Congress consider changes in federal consequence management policies to address the effects of possible future attacks? The report explores two types of issues--selected administrative issues pertinent to the delivery of assistance, and selected policy issues about the assistance provided.

The 12 issue sections in the report follow a common format: an issue statement, background information and analysis (including information specific to terrorist attacks), and policy options. For the most part, this report concentrates on the impact of the airliner attacks in New York City because the consequences of those attacks in a major urban center raise complex issues of response and recovery that were not as evident in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia after the other airline crashes and the anthrax mailings.

The report is not a critique of federal consequence management policies and actions. Despite record levels of federal assistance, all expectations and needs after terrorists strike will not be, and cannot be, met. Unfortunately, other perceived failures or questions will likely be brought to the attention of Congress in the event that other terrorist attacks occur in the United States.

This report is not a comprehensive collection of all pertinent issues. It has been prepared to help Members of Congress consider the relative merits of selected legislative options related to federal consequence management in light of reports of problems, deficiencies, or questions raised after September 11. Other issues that Congress might elect to consider will be identified and included in future updates to this report.