Budgeting for Terror

Congress was right to double to $40 billion the amount the White House had requested to help the nation recover from this week’s terrorist attacks and for counter-terrorism measures. Spending oversight is also warranted.

President Bush agreed to the additional appropriation at the urging of the New York congressional delegation. At least half the total must go to the staggering task of digging out from the damage inflicted by the two planes that destroyed the World Trade Center towers in New York, and the one that devastated the Pentagon. There also will be money for Pennsylvania to clean up the site where a fourth hijacked plane crashed.

No one will object to the amount appropriated. But as Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, properly pointed out: In the rush to respond to the terror, it also is necessary “to maintain the power of the purse.”

Congress is not about to tie the hands of those hunting through the rubble in New York or scouring the alleys of world capitals for terrorists. It would be silly to demand an accounting for every last penny. But Congress does need to see blueprints of how the money will be spent to ensure that it is not wasted. There is a danger in the immediate aftermath of acts of war that government will pop open the coffers and not keep an eye on where the money is going. Defense contractors believe that their new weapons systems are necessary to take on terrorists. The military believes more planes and ships are essential. It’s up to Congress to sort out the priorities.

Ten billion dollars is available immediately for rescue efforts and rebuilding, as well as increased security at airports and investigation of terrorism. Another $10 billion will be provided when the White House gives Congress a plan for using it. The remainder will be provided in the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

Terrorism has distracted people from concern about the nation slipping from a budget surplus into deficit and government using Social Security trust funds for a bailout. The economy is under increasing pressure as the stock markets prepare to reopen Monday.

The need to use money wisely is even more critical now that we have embarked on what is sure to be a long and costly war against terrorism.