In the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, the federal government must address the availability and affordability of terrorism insurance to protect taxpayers, policyholders and insurers. This is not just an insurance industry problem or a policyholder problem - it's a national economic problem that demands a national solution. This insurance is necessary for the economy to function efficiently.

I have previously worked on successful legislative projects with House Financial Services Chairman Michael Oxley and Capital Markets Subcommittee Chairman Richard Baker. I plan to work with them and my other colleagues in the House to tackle the challenge of providing commercial insurance for terrorism while protecting the taxpayer from endless financial risk.

We must do all we can to avoid any economic disruption that could result from a lack of reasonably priced, accessible terrorism insurance.