As Anthrax Scare Continues, Bioterror and Economic Stimulus Bills Fracture Congressional Bipartisanship, CQ’s Goldreich Says

"Partisan bickering" is growing in Congress as debate continues over economic stimulus and bioterrorism measures, Congressional Quarterly senior reporter Samuel Goldreich says in this week's "Congressional Quarterly Audio Report." Goldreich also recaps recent developments in the anthrax scare, including the temporary relocation of the Supreme Court, the continued closure of several congressional office buildings and the discovery of anthrax at sites that handle mail for the Justice and State departments and CIA. Asked whether health officials now have a better handle on the situation than in the days following the first anthrax reports, Goldreich says it's "debatable" and adds that "the public certainly seems more confused than ever." The CDC has also faced complaints that it failed to aggressively test postal workers before two died last week, with "even some lawmakers like Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa)" questioning the agency's response. To "cover all the confusion," health and elected officials have repeatedly stated that they are on a "learning curve," Goldreich says.

Bioterrorism Legislation
On the Hill, Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) are expected to reach agreement sometime this week on a bioterrorism bill, Goldreich says. Though Kennedy and Frist "pretty much agree on the need to stockpile drugs and help state and local governments" prepare for bioterrorism, debate continues over the measure's total funding allocation. Kennedy has backed off his earlier goal of $10 billion and the final bill is expected to be "somewhere in the $3 billion to $5 billion range, with administration support." Still, Goldreich predicts the bill will face challenges; for example, Republican leaders say any bioterrorism funds should come from the $40 billion in emergency spending approved soon after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, while Democrats are "looking for new money."

Economic Stimulus
Meanwhile, the House on Oct. 24 passed a $100 billion economic stimulus plan that contains tax relief provisions, as well as $3 billion in state block grants to help with health insurance. Though Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill initially criticized the bill as "nothing but show business staged by Republicans to demonstrate their support for corporate tax cuts," President Bush has now given the measure his full support, and Senate Republicans are expected on Oct. 30 to endorse a $75 billion plan with the same aid provisions, Goldreich says. Senate Democrats, however, back a greater extension of benefits for the unemployed. Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) proposes a $70 billion plan that contains $17 billion to help subsidize COBRA coverage. Goldreich predicts that an economic stimulus deal will "depend on the Senate Centrist Coalition -- which now includes more than 40 members -- changing sides just like they did in the big tax debate earlier this year." Goldreich's full report is available online ("Congressional Quarterly Audio Report," 10/29).