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Recovery: Congress pushes for agreement

New York is pondering the future of the World Trade Center site as it clears the rubble.

SUMMARY:

The House debate over the aviation security bill is getting a push from both sides. Democratic leaders in Congress want an agreement soon on an airline security bill, and Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott said Wednesday he believes there will be a "result before the Thanksgiving recess."

A major sticking point is the status of airport security screeners. Democrats want them to be federal employees. The Bush White House and House Republicans want federal supervisors overseeing a private workforce. The House is to vote Thursday on a bill. The Senate, by a vote of 100-0, has passed a bill requiring all airport security workers become federal employees.

After two losing days to start the week, Wall Street is hoping for a turnaround on Wednesday. The markets were helped early by the U.S. government's first reading on the third-quarter gross domestic product. The GDP did shrink by a 0.4 percent rate, but that was less than the rate predicted by analysts. Market indexes were mixed in early afternoon.

UPDATE:

Democratic leaders in Congress want an agreement soon on an airline security bill, and Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott said Wednesday he believes there will be a "result before the Thanksgiving recess."

Lott, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, and House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt said Wednesday that they are all in strong agreement on the need to finish an airline security bill. They met with President Bush Wednesday morning. (Full story)

•  Summary   •  Update   •  Key questions   •  Impact

REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS   •  Emergency information   •  Partial list of victims   •  Victims story archives   •  Latest news

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

VIDEO CNN's Candy Crowley talks with Berkeley peace activists who believe protest is patriotic (October 19) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

MORE STORIES

The Nasdaq rose Wednesday as two unexpected treats gave U.S. tech investors a reason to buy - a better-than-expected gross domestic product report and news that the Treasury will stop selling 30-year debt. But some ghoulish blue-chip selling scared the Dow. (Full story)

The nation's aviation security system remains far from perfect despite toughened measures since September 11. Some airports have adhered to new standards better than others, a sporadic response that leaves the airline industry at risk and federal authorities frustrated. (Full story)

There is now a no-fly zone over downtown Chicago ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration. The ban applies to private planes whose pilots do not file flight plans and who rely on visual flight rules (VFR). Such flights are no longer allowed below 3,000 feet in a semicircle extending 1.5 miles east of the Sears Tower. (Full story)

Heightened security following new FBI warnings about terrorist attacks comes during a week filled with high-profile events in New York, including the annual marathon, World Series and a festive Halloween parade. (Full story)

After FBI Director Robert Mueller warned this week of the possibility of more terrorist attacks, law enforcement officials announced plans for a greater presence at public Halloween parties around the nation. (Full story)

Killing people wasn't No. 1 on his list as Ken Alibek reeled off the goals of biological warfare. It was inciting panic and fear, the former Soviet biological weapons expert told members of the U.S. House of Representatives this month, followed by "paralyzing the nation."

But no matter how destructive the weapons, spreading anxiety on a massive scale is extraordinarily tough to achieve, experts say. (Full story)

The American Red Cross, under heavy criticism for its handling of fundraising since September 11, announced Tuesday that it is ceasing "active solicitations" of donations to its special Liberty Fund, which had raised over $500 million since the attacks.

The Red Cross said it has engaged KPMG to audit the Liberty Fund, "with results to be made public later this year." (Full story)

KEY QUESTIONS:

What will be the long-range impact on the global airline industry? Click here for more

Are security breaches common at U.S. airports? What is the government doing to improve airport safety? Click here for more

How is Congress helping out in the recovery process? Click here for more

Are people going to celebrate Halloween this year? Click here for more

Are children able to grasp the severity of the September 11 attacks? How are they coping?

Will firefighters take greater precautions in rushing into burning buildings in the aftermath of the attacks?

How long will it take to reopen the damaged section of the Pentagon? At what cost? Click here for more

What will happen to the World Trade Center site? Click here for more

What measures will be taken to try to prevent a recurrence of such attacks? Click here for more

WHO'S WHO:

George W. Bush: U.S. president Click here for more.

Laura Bush: First lady of the United States, she has become more visible since the terrorist attacks, making public appearances urging parents and teachers to help reassure children that everything is being done to try to keep them safe. Click here for more

Tom Ridge: Director of the U.S. Office of Homeland Security, a new Cabinet-level position Click here for more

Richard Clarke: Head of efforts to safeguard information systems for the Office of Homeland Security Click here for more

Wayne Downing: Retired Army general tapped as deputy national security adviser Click here for more

Joe Allbaugh:The chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Click here for more

Dr. David Satcher: Surgeon General of the United States

Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan: Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Click here for more

Rudy Giuliani: Mayor of New York Click here for more

Michael Bloomberg: Republican candidate for mayor of New York
Mark Green: Democratic candidate for mayor of New York
The New York mayoral election is November 6, and the winner of the election will begin a four-year term at the beginning of 2002.

Anthony A. Williams: Mayor of Washington

Dr. Ivan Walks: Director of the Department of Health for the District of Columbia

Paul O'Neill: Treasury secretary

Norman Y. Mineta:Transportation secretary

Jane Garvey: FAA administrator

VICTIMS:

The latest figures provided by federal and local officials give the following totals for the number of people dead or missing from the September 11 attacks.

WORLD TRADE CENTER: 4,167 reported missing to the New York Police Department, including the 157 people on the two hijacked planes. Of the 506 people whose remains have been recovered, 454 have been identified.

PENTAGON: 64 dead on hijacked plane; another 125 dead or missing

PENNSYLVANIA: 44 confirmed dead on hijacked plane

IMPACT:

The events of September 11 exposed the vulnerability of the world's greatest superpower, presenting the United States with the challenge of recovering emotionally and physically.

The U.S. economy, threatened by recession before September 11, has suffered a number of blows in the weeks since. Several industries -- particularly the airline industry -- were hit hard by the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, and leading economic indicators dropped in September. Yet the nation's financial markets have thus far weathered the uncertainty, making up losses experienced in the days after reopening.

Incidents of anthrax found in mail have frightened many, and the notable increase of security at offices and public places indicates America to be a warier, more cautious place. But daily life has not been put on hold: People are still attending entertainment events, going to ballgames, and getting out. Psychologically, the country appears to be finding its way.