    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [July 1, 2002]
    [Page 1161]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Reallocation of
    Emergency Response Funds
    July 1, 2002

    Dear Mr. Speaker:
        In order to fulfill urgent requirements for civil aviation security,
    I am notifying the Congress of my intent to reallocate funds previously
    transferred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the
    Emergency Response Fund. These funds will now be allocated to the
    Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in accordance with the
    provisions of Public Law 107-38, the Emergency Supplemental
    Appropriations Act for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks
    on the United States, FY 2001.
        In addition, I am further revising my request for supplemental
    funding originally transmitted on March 21st to account for this
    transfer by adjusting my Administration's request for supplemental
    funding for FEMA and for TSA. This will ensure that FEMA has the full
    resources necessary to meet my commitment to the recovery of New York.
        As provided in Public Law 107-38, the $270 million to be transferred
    will be made available immediately to TSA to continue its civil aviation
    security responsibilities.
        This is the second time I have arranged a ``bridge loan'' from FEMA
    to TSA to allow the Congress to complete action on my March 21st
    emergency supplemental request. This option will not be available a
    third time, since FEMA has no additional remaining unobligated funds
    from Public Law 107-38. It is imperative that the Congress quickly pass
    an acceptable emergency supplemental bill to prevent a disruption of
    commercial air travel.
        I hereby designate the revised requests contained in the
    accompanying material as emergency requirements pursuant to section
    251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
    1985, as amended.
        The details of these actions are set forth in the enclosed letter
    from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. I concur with
    his comments and recommendations.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    July 2.