FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10, 2004

CONTACT: Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi, Democratic Leadership Call on President Bush to Convene Congress to Consider 9/11 Commission Recommendations

Washington, D.C. – House Democrats held a Caucus meeting in Washington, D.C. today to hear from the 9/11 Commissioners and to discuss the Commission's recommendations.  Pelosi announced  that the House Democratic Leadership sent a letter to President Bush today calling on him to use his constitutional authority to convene Congress to consider the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, and that House Democrats would introduce legislation to implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations as soon as the House reconvenes.

"Today, House Democrats came from all over the country to be briefed by 9/11 Commission Chairman Thomas Kean and Vice-Chair Lee Hamilton on the Commission's bipartisan recommendations.  And it is in that bipartisan spirit that Democrats will offer legislation to implement the Commission’s recommendations.  I have encouraged Speaker Hastert to cosponsor it.

"If Congress were in session today, we could introduce this bill and start the legislative process.  That is why the leaders of the Democratic Caucus call on President Bush to reconvene the Congress this August so that we can get to work on the 9/11 Commission's recommendations."

The text of the letter to President Bush follows:

August 10, 2004

The President

The White House

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

Almost three years ago, the nation suffered the most devastating terrorist attacks in its history.  Almost three weeks ago, the independent 9/11 Commission, established to examine the reasons those attacks were successful and to recommend ways to prevent attacks in the future, issued its report.  As the members of the Commission made clear in their report, and as they have repeatedly stated in the weeks since the report was issued, it is urgent that the recommendations be considered, and implemented, as soon as possible.

The 9/11 Commission’s sense of urgency seems to be lost on the Congress.  Despite requests that Congress reconvene, the House and Senate remain on a six week recess that prevents legislative action on the Commission’s recommendations.  Even the elevation of the terrorism threat level was not enough to interrupt the recess and bring Congress back to work on addressing meaningfully the clear and present danger to our national security posed by terrorism.

Mr. President, you have the constitutional authority to convene Congress.  I ask that you use that authority to require the House and Senate to return to Washington at once to consider legislation to implement the Commission’s recommendations.  There is no reason why some of the recommendations could not be put in place by September 11, and all of them by the time Congress adjourns in October.  That schedule is made more difficult, however, if the August recess is not interrupted.

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Nancy Pelosi                                                                Steny Hoyer

Democratic Leader                                                       Democratic Whip

Robert Menendez                                                         James E. Clyburn

Democratic Caucus Chair                                             Democratic Caucus Vice-Chair

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi