Access Control
& Security Systems

The U.S. House of Representatives finally reached an adequate compromise and passed its version of legislation to create a Homeland Security Department last week. In the Senate, however, debate is still flares over special-interest provisions within the legislation.

Both Republicans and Democrats have said the bill will eventually be approved sometime this week. The House bill passed by a 299-121 vote.

One of the special-interest provisions drawing debate limits liabilities of pharmaceutical companies that produce vaccines. Another involves limiting Freedom of Information Act inquiries regarding the Department.

"This compromise is the result of months of hard work and negotiation, and it will take additional time to put the agreement into place," President Bush said during a weekend radio address.

The Senate voted Tuesday to create the Department by a 90-9 margin, belying bitter clashes that pitted Congress against the White House and the two parties against each other, thus prolonging work on the legislation for nearly a year.

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