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$300 billion 'down payment' on defense

SUMMARY:

Investigators grew more skeptical about a reported plot to kill President Bush's brother, the governor of Florida, and the president characterized the $318 billion tagged for the country's defense as a "first step." New York's governor and family organizations planned to protest the compensation plan developed to assist people injured in the September 11 attacks and the families of those who died in the hijackings.

UPDATE:

After signing a bill that slates more than $300 billion for the defense department, President Bush said the bill "makes a down payment on our central commitment that we will give our forces what they need to defeat global terror." The United States owes its military personnel "a full measure of respect" and pledged to provide "decent pay and quality of life" along with the "best equipment and weaponry," he said. (Full story)

A jailed confidential source alerted authorities to a possible plot to kill Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's brother. But several law enforcement officials said they had "serious doubts" about the credibility of the informant, saying he may be trying to strike a deal with prosecutors for his own benefit. (Full story)

New York Gov. George Pataki and leaders of four family groups for victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks said they have planned a protest for next week. They said they are displeased with a proposed regulation that would reduce compensation for victims' families if they received financial assistance from charitable organizations. (Full story)

• Summary   • Update   • Key questions   • Who's who   • Victims   • Impact

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

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

KEY QUESTIONS:

What is the government currently doing to prevent terrorists from attacking U.S. food supplies? (Click here for more)

Should the federal government issue national security alerts in response to undisclosed, vague threats?

Should the federal government issue national security alerts in response to undisclosed, vague threats?

What is the government doing to fortify homeland defense? Click here for more

What are tips to know in the wake of the 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: Former mayor of New York

Michael Bloomberg: Mayor of New York

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 numbers of people dead or missing from the September 11 attacks:

WORLD TRADE CENTER: According to New York officials, the estimated number of dead -- including 157 people on the two hijacked planes -- is 2,893: 622 confirmed dead, 309 missing with no death certificates issued, and 1,962 death certificates issued for victims whose remains have not yet been identified. The initial death estimate was as high as 6,500 people, but the number has fallen for several reasons, including elimination of duplicate reports.

PENTAGON: 64 dead on hijacked plane; another 125 missing and presumed dead

PENNSYLVANIA: 44 confirmed dead on hijacked plane

IMPACT:

The attacks of September 11 have sparked new debate about balancing the protection of U.S. citizens with the protection of the civil rights of those suspected of terrorism.

While the United States is proud of the freedoms and the legal rights guaranteed by the Constitution, authorities and many citizens have argued those people who seek to destroy America do not deserve such protections while they represent an ongoing threat to the country. Others argue that it is those very freedoms which the terrorists seek to curtail, and that to limit individual rights provides them with a victory.

While those arguments continue, so do the threats against U.S. interests. Security remains high at airports, certain industries and many government facilities.