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Recovery: Vote breaks congressional impasse

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

SUMMARY:

The U.S. House of Representatives late Thursday approved an aviation security measure that will let the federal government oversee airport security but does not make airport screeners federal employees.

The Republican-backed measure, approved by a vote of 285 to 138, calls for federal oversight of private security-screening companies. The administration will have the choice to hire private security companies or federal employees.

UPDATE:

Earlier Thursday, a Democrat-backed measure that would have made airport security screeners federal employees was defeated by a close House vote of 218 to 214.

That measure, which sought to federalize the entire airport security work force at the nation's larger airports, was identical to a measure passed in October by a 100-0 vote in the Senate.

House-Senate conferees will now meet to iron out differences in the bills and then send the measure on to President Bush for approval. (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 Airport security is on the minds of many lawmakers, but Congress is divided on how best to proceed. CNN's Kate Snow reports (November 1) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

MORE STORIES

U.S. equity markets closed higher Thursday as news from tech leader Microsoft gave stock investors a good excuse to buy, overshadowing further signs of the weakness of the economy in the form of a report that showed contraction in the U.S. manufacturing sector. (Full story)

More than a month after the city made it easier for families of World Trade Center victims to obtain death certificates, city attorneys say they are surprised at how few have applied for them. "They're not coming in," said Lorna Goodman, a spokeswoman for the Corporation Counsel, the city's legal arm. "It's an absolute mystery." (Full story)

New York City is scaling down the number of firefighters and police officers at the World Trade Center recovery site, officials said, citing health concerns. The number of firefighters and cops sifting through the rubble will be reduced to 25 police officers and 25 firefighters by Friday. (Full story)

The cost of free speech may be going up in Berkeley. This left-leaning city with a proud history of snubbing companies with questionable political ties is now the target of a threatened boycott over its stance on the war against terrorism. (Full story)

National identification cards have long been considered an abridgment of freedom in the United States. But public support may be building for them since the September 11 terrorist attacks. (Full story)

Followers of the Sikh faith say they have been unfairly singled out for elaborate security checks at airports, sometimes being forced to remove their turbans, an integral part of their religious identity.

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 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: According to New York City officials, 3,962 are missing, including the 157 people on the two hijacked planes; 490 bodies 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.