http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/reid-mcconnell-reach-deal-on-9/11-conference-2007-07-09.htmlReid, McConnell reach deal on 9/11 conference
By Klaus Marre
July 09, 2007
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and his Republican counterpart Mitch McConnell (Ky.) Monday agreed to bring the 9/11 bill to conference.
The legislation would put in place the recommendations that the so-called 9/11 Commission proposed when it released its final report on the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
The two Senate leaders agreed that a conference report should not give collective bargaining rights to airport screeners, which had been a main reason for why the bill was held up.
“While I am glad that Republicans have finally given up their objections to help us make America more secure, it should not have taken Congress this long.” Reid said after the deal was reached. “We live in a dangerous world, and we have to remain vigilant against an al Qaeda that has grown stronger. I look forward to moving through this conference as quickly as possible and on a bipartisan basis so we can enact the provisions of this bill and make America more secure.”
“I am encouraged to see Republicans were able to ensure our national security is a higher priority than a special interest provision for Big Labor,” McConnell said. “Republicans staunchly refused to play games with the security of our country and succeeded in removing a dangerous provision from this bill. We now have a real opportunity to strengthen America’s security while continuing to allow for flexibility in combating terrorist attacks.”