Order Code RL31999
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Disaster Relief and Response:
FY2003 Supplemental Appropriations
July 17, 2003
Keith Bea
Specialist, American National Government
Government and Finance Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

---

Disaster Relief and Response:
FY2003 Supplemental Appropriations
Summary
On July 7, 2003, President Bush submitted a second supplemental
appropriations request to Congress for FY2003. The request seeks $1.889 billion for
three disaster relief activities: wildfire suppression and rehabilitation carried out by
the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior ($289 million), disaster relief
administered by the Department of Homeland Security ($1.550 billion), and the
investigation and recovery associated with the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster ($50
million). On July 9, 2003, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported the
FY2004 legislative branch appropriations measure (S. 1383), which included the
FY2003 supplemental in Title III, adding $100 million for AmeriCorps grants,
among other provisions. The next day, July 10, the Senate incorporated S. 1383 into
the legislative branch appropriations bill that had been passed by the House (H.R.
2657) on July 9. On July 11, 2003, the full Senate approved H.R. 2657, as amended,
with additional provisions related to firefighting, flood control, AmeriCorps grants,
education for the disadvantaged, and pest infestation management activities, among
other provisions. The total cost of the Senate-passed measure is $2.044 billion, 8.2%
more than requested. The House has not yet acted on the supplemental funding
request. Final funding awaits a pending conference on H.R. 2657.

---

Contents
Most Recent Developments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Congressional Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Disaster Relief Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Wildfire Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
List of Tables
Table 1. FY2003 Supplemental for Disaster Response and Relief,
Administration Request and Congressional Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Table 2. Disaster Relief Fund, FY1974-FY2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Table 3. Wildfire Management Appropriations, FY1999-FY2004 . . . . . . . . . . . 9

---

Disaster Relief and Response:
FY2003 Supplemental Appropriations
Most Recent Developments
On July 7, 2003, President Bush submitted a request for emergency
supplemental appropriations for FY2003 that totaled $1.9 billion. On July 9 the
Senate Appropriations Committee incorporated the supplemental provision into the
FY2004 legislative branch appropriations bill (S. 1383). After inserting the text of
S. 1383, the full Senate passed the House measure (H.R. 2657) on July 11. As
approved by the Senate, in addition to the President’s request, H.R. 2657 includes
$25 million more for wildfire response and prevention and $10 million for flood
prevention for the Corps of Engineers, resulting in a total of $2.044 billion.
The Administration seeks funding for three categories of federal disaster relief
and response activities: wildfire suppression and rehabilitation, disaster relief
associated with tornadoes and potential hurricanes, and unanticipated costs associated
with the disintegration of the Space Shuttle Columbia. Some have advocated
expedited action on the supplemental. Debate has begun and will likely continue as
some Members seek to add other provisions to the measure to meet other urgent
needs. For example, the Senate Appropriations Committee increased the size of the
supplemental, as reported, by adding $100 million in the supplemental for the
Corporation for National and Community Service for operating expenses for
AmeriCorps grants and for educational awards funded from the National Service
Trust.
Overview
The July 7, 2003 request by President Bush seeks additional funding for three
departments and one independent agency as follows:
! $1.55 billion for the Department of Homeland Security;
! $253 million for the Department of Agriculture;
! $36 million for the Department of the Interior; and
! $50 million for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The $1.55 billion request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),
which represents 82% of the total request, is for the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF).
Grants from the DRF aid state and local governments, certain nonprofit
organizations, and individuals and families victimized by catastrophes that
overwhelm state and local resources.
State emergency management officials

---

CRS-2
maintain that supplemental funding is required because the DRF has reached “a
dangerously low level” for FY2003.
The combined budget authority requested for the Departments of Agriculture
and the Interior — $289 million (15% of the total request) — is for federal wildfire
suppression activities and the rehabilitation of burned areas, especially in the western
states. Some expect the summer wildfire season to be particularly severe due to the
ongoing drought and dry timber conditions.
The requested $50 million (3% of the total) for the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) is for additional and unanticipated costs associated
with the recovery, investigation, and analysis of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident.
In addition to meeting the Administration’s request for funding in these three
areas, the Senate voted to add $100 million to the Corporation for National and
Community Service for AmeriCorps grants, in addition to funds for other emergency
activities.1 Table 1 provides summary information on the request and subsequent
action by Congress.
Table 1. FY2003 Supplemental for Disaster Response and Relief,
Administration Request and Congressional Action
($ in millions)
Request
Senate
Federal agency
Purpose
(July 7)
House
(July 11)
Enacted
Dept. of Homeland
disaster relief fund
1,550
1,550
Security, (DHS)
activities authorized
Emergency
by the Robert T.
Preparedness and
Stafford Disaster
Response (EPR)
Relief and
Emergency
Assistance Act
Dept. of
wildfire
253
273
Agriculture, Forest
suppression,
Service (FS)
rehabilitation of
burned areas, pest
control
Dept. of the
wildfire
36
61
Interior, Bureau of
suppression,
Land Management
rehabilitation of
(BLM)
burned areas
1 For background on the AmeriCorps grants see: RS20420, AmeriCorps and Other Service
Programs: Description and Funding Levels, by Ann Lordeman.

---

CRS-3
Request
Senate
Federal agency
Purpose
(July 7)
House
(July 11)
Enacted
National
recovery and
50
50
Aeronautics and
investigation
Space
associated with
Administration
Space Shuttle
(NASA)
Columbia
Corporation for
AmeriCorps grants
0
100
National and
Community
Service
Army Corps of
flood control, repair
0
10
Engineers
of facilities
Total
1,889
2,044
Source: Administration request: U.S. Office of Management and Budget, “Estimate #12, FY 2003
Emergency Supplemental: Departments of Agriculture, Homeland Security, Interior, and National
Aeronautics and Space Administration — 7/7/03,” available on the OMB website at
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/amendments/supplemental_7_7_03.pdf], visited July 9,
2003. Congressional action: H.R. 2657.
Note: The Senate added authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to use $20 million of the funds
of the Commodity Credit Corporation to suppress and control a cricket infestation. Accordingly,
this table adds that amount to the $253 approved for wildfire management activities of the
Department of Agriculture.
Congressional Action
The supplemental request has been incorporated into the Senate-passed
legislative appropriations bill although not in the House-passed bill (H.R. 2657). On
July 9 the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up its version of the measure
(S. Rept. 108-88).
On July 11 the full Senate approved the legislation, with
amendments. A conference is pending.
Historically, little debate has occurred on federal disaster assistance funding
measures. Questions may be asked, however, on the types of activities to be funded
through this request, the addition of funding measures by Members of Congress for
activities not requested by the Administration, and the appropriations history of the
accounts included in the supplemental measure. The remainder of this report
provides background information on the activities to be funded through the
supplemental appropriations process.

---

CRS-4
Disaster Relief Fund
The Department of Homeland Security uses funds appropriated to the disaster
relief fund (DRF) to provide assistance authorized by the Stafford Act.2 Stafford Act
aid is available after the President issues a declaration that federal assistance is
needed to supplement the resources of overwhelmed states and localities.3 Federal
assistance supported by DRF money is used by states, localities, and certain non-
profit organizations to restore damaged or destroyed facilities, clear debris, and aid
individuals and families with uninsured needs, among other activities.
Few disagree about the disaster relief needs facing the nation at present. In
calendar year 2002, President Bush issued 49 major disaster declarations; thus far in
calendar year 2003, 26 such declarations have been issued, 11 of which have
involved tornadoes, some of which have proven particularly destructive. In addition,
hurricane season has begun. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) in the Department of Commerce has projected that this hurricane season
will likely be a “near-normal” or “above-normal” season for Atlantic coast
hurricanes, with 11 to 15 tropical storms expected, 6 to 9 of which may become
hurricanes, 2 to 4 of which could be “major hurricanes.”4
Five types of declarations may be issued by the President or the Secretary of
DHS, summarized as follows:5
! Major disaster. The President can declare a major disaster upon the
request of the governor of the affected state.6
A declaration
authorizes DHS to administer various federal disaster assistance
programs for victims of declared disasters.
Each declaration
specifies the type of incident covered, the time period covered, the
types of disaster assistance available, the counties affected by the
declaration, and also identifies the Federal Coordinating Officer.
2 The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121
et seq.
3 For more information on the Stafford Act and the DRF see: CRS Report RL31791,
Emergency Management Funding for the Department of Homeland Security: Information
and Issues for FY2004, by Keith Bea, Rob Buschmann, Ben Canada, Wayne Morrisey, C.
Stephen Redhead, and Shawn Reese.
4 U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
“NOAA: 2003 Atlantic Hurricane Outlook,” at
[http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/
outlooks/hurricane.html], visited July 9, 2003.
5
Summaries adapted from FEMA testimony in:
U.S. Congress, Committee on
Appropriations, Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies, Departments of
Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations for 2001, hearing, 106th Cong., 2nd sess., Feb. 29, 2000 (Washington: GPO,
2000), p. 702.
6 For criteria considered in the declaration of a major disaster, see: 44 CFR 206.48.

---

CRS-5
! Emergency. The declaration process for emergencies is the same
as for major disasters; however, an emergency declaration authorizes
only emergency response activities, debris removal, and disaster
housing programs. DRF expenditures for an emergency are limited
to $5 million per declaration, unless Congress is notified otherwise.
! Fire suppression. The Secretary of DHS is authorized to provide
fire suppression assistance to supplement the resources of
communities when fires threaten such destruction as would warrant
a major disaster declaration.
! Defense emergency. Upon request from the governor of an affected
state, the President may authorize the Department of Defense (DoD)
to carry out emergency work for a period not to exceed 10 days.
DoD emergency work is limited to work essential for the
preservation of life and property.
! Pre-declaration activities.
When a situation threatens human
health and safety, and a disaster is imminent but not yet declared, the
Secretary of DHS may place agency employees on alert. DHS
monitors the status of the situation, communicates with state
emergency officials on potential assistance requirements, and
deploys teams and resources to maximize the speed and
effectiveness of the anticipated federal response and, when
necessary, performs
preparedness
and preliminary damage
assessment activities.
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) transferred the authorities
and functions previously carried out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) to DHS and charged the Secretary of Homeland Security with responsiblity
for administering these activities. Some of that authority will likely be delegated to
and carried out by the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response
within DHS.
A major disaster declaration, which may be issued only by the President, makes
available the full range of federal disaster relief assistance to stricken counties and
cities. Some types of assistance available under a major disaster declaration include
the repair, replacement, or reconstruction of public and nonprofit facilities, cash
grants for personal needs of victims, temporary housing vouchers or replacement
accommodations, and unemployment assistance related to the disaster.7
By
comparison, an emergency declaration authorizes less assistance.8 The costs of major
disasters exceed those associated with the other four declarations.
7 For statutory provisions that authorize the assistance to be provided under the Stafford Act
see Title IV of the Act at [http://www.fema.gov/library/stafact.shtm], visited July 11, 2003.
8 For a comparison of the types of assistance authorized for major disasters, see Title IV of
the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 401-422, and for emergencies, see Title V of the Stafford Act,
42 U.S.C. 5191-5193.

---

CRS-6
Table 2 of this report lists appropriations made to the DRF since 1974, the first
year in which the current span of federal assistance was provided by the federal
government. Prior to FY1989, supplemental appropriations made to the DRF were
approved infrequently and generally exceeded the amount originally appropriated in
each fiscal year by roughly $100 or $200 million.9 By comparison, since FY1989,
appropriations have exceeded $1 billion in each fiscal year and supplemental
appropriations have been approved in all but FY1991 and FY2000.
The last two columns of Table 2 show that a similar growth pattern has
developed for outlays from the DRF. Prior to FY1989, outlays from the DRF
averaged $568 million, and on only two occasions (Hurricane Frederic in FY1978
and the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in FY1980) exceeded $1 billion. Since 1989,
however, average annual outlays have exceeded $2 billion, due to significant
hurricanes (Hugo in FY1989, Andrew in FY1992, Floyd in FY1999), earthquakes
(Loma Prieta in FY1990, Northridge in FY1994), floods (Midwest floods of 1993,
Red River floods of 1995), and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. During
FY2002, FEMA distributed almost $4 billion in disaster relief to 32 states (and
territories) in response to 42 major disaster declarations.10 Since 1989, roughly $37
billion constant dollars has been provided in disaster relief, more than three-quarters
of the $47 billion provided since 1974.
Table 2. Disaster Relief Fund, FY1974-FY2004
(millions of dollars, 2002 constant dollars)
Appropriations
Total appropriations
Outlays
FY
AReq.
Orig.
Supp. Nominal
Constant
Nominal
Constant
74
100
200
232
433
1,483
250
857
75
100
150
50
200
624
206
643
76
187
187
0
187
552
362
1,067
77
100
100
200
300
830
294
813
78
150
115
300
415
1,077
461
1,196
79
200
200
194
394
938
277
660
80
194
194
870
1,064
2,278
574
1,229
81
375
358
0
358
698
401
780
82
400
302
0
302
552
115
211
83
325
130
0
130
228
202
354
84
0
0
0
0
0
243
408
85
100
100
0
100
161
192
309
86
194
100
250
350
549
335
527
87
100
120
B0
120
181
219
330
88
125
120
0
C120
175
187
273
9 An exception occurred in FY1980 after the eruption of Mt. St. Helens.
10
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response
Justification of Estimates Fiscal Year 2004, (Washington: 2003), p. S-1.

---

CRS-7
Appropriations
Total appropriations
Outlays
FY
AReq.
Orig.
Supp. Nominal
Constant
Nominal
Constant
89
200
100
D1,108
1,208
1,705
140
198
90
270
98
E1,150
1,248
1,686
1,333
1,800
91
270
0
0
0
0
552
724
92
F184
185
4,136
G4,321
5,568
902
1,162
93
292
292
2,000
H2,292
2,880
2,276
2,860
94
I1,154
292
J4,709
5,001
6,121
3,743
4,582
95
320
320
K3,275
3,595
4,277
2,116
2,518
96
320
222
K2,275
2,497
2,905
2,232
2,596
97
320
L1,320
L3,300
4,620
5,239
2,551
2,893
98
M2,708
320
N1,600
1,920
2,141
3,252
3,626
99
O2,566
P1,214
Q1,130
2,344
2,541
3,746
4,060
00
2,780
R2,780
0
2,780
2,888
2,628
2,730
01
2,909
300
S,T4,383
4,677
4,730
3,220
3,257
02
1,366
2,164
U7,008
9,172
9,172
3,947
3,947
03
1,843
800
—
800
—
V5,094
—
04
1,956
—
—
—
—
V3,518
—
Total
22,108
12,784
38,170
50,948
62,179
45,568
46,609
Sources:
U.S. President annual budget documents; appropriations legislation; U.S. Federal
Emergency Management Agency budget justifications. Constant dollar calculations: U.S. Dept. of
Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, State and local government chain-type price index, Table
7.11, found at [http://www.bea.doc.gov/bea/dn/nipaweb/SelectTable.asp?Selected=N#S7], visited Feb.
25, 2003.
A Data in the request column generally represent the first budget request submitted by the
Administration each year and do not include amended or supplemental requests. However, note
additional detail in this column.
B In February 1987, a total of $57,475,000 was rescinded and transferred from the DRF to the
Emergency Food and Shelter Program account (P.L. 100-6). That amount was returned to the fund
the same year in supplemental appropriations legislation enacted in July 1987 (P.L. 100-71).
C P.L. 100-202, the Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1988, appropriated $120 million
for disaster relief. According to FEMA, the original appropriation for that fiscal year was $125
million, but $5 million was transferred to the Department of Labor for “low income agriculture
workers.”
D Supplemental funds were included in P.L. 101-100, continuing appropriations legislation enacted
after Hurricane Hugo struck in September 1989. According to FEMA, this amount was “referred to
as a supplemental but was an increase in the original appropriation during a continuing resolution.”
E P.L. 101-130, enacted after the Loma Prieta earthquake, appropriated $1.1 billion in supplemental
funding for FY1990. In addition, $50 million was appropriated in P.L. 101-302, dire emergency
supplemental appropriations legislation. Table 2 does not reflect a $2.5 million transfer from the
President’s unanticipated needs fund.
F FY1992 request does not include the budget amendment of $90 million submitted by the
Administration.

---

CRS-8
G Appropriations for FY1992 included a $943 million dire emergency supplemental in P.L. 102-229,
enacted in the fall of 1991 after Hurricane Bob; $300 million after the Los Angeles riots and flooding
in Chicago (spring of 1992) in P.L. 102-302; and $2.893 billion in P.L. 102-368 after Hurricanes
Andrew and Iniki, Typhoon Omar, and other disasters.
H Total for FY1993 includes the $2 billion supplemental approved after the Midwest floods of 1993
(P.L. 103-75).
I The original FY1994 budget request was $292 million. On July 29, 1993, a supplemental request
of $862 million was sent by President Clinton to Congress.
J
Supplemental appropriations for FY1994 enacted after the Northridge earthquake struck Los
Angeles (P.L. 103-211).
K Additional supplemental appropriation approved for Northridge earthquake costs (P.L. 104-19) for
FY1995, with the same amount ($3.275 billion) reserved for a contingency fund for FY1996.
However, $1 billion of the contingency fund was rescinded in FY1996 omnibus appropriations, P.L.
104-134. In the same legislation, another $7 million was also appropriated to other FEMA accounts
for costs associated with the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City.
L The FY1998 budget appendix (p. 1047) noted a transfer of $104 million from the disaster relief fund
in FY1996. In the FY1997 appropriations act (P.L. 104-204), $1 billion that had been rescinded in
FY1996 (P.L. 104-134) was restored, and $320 million in new funds were appropriated. Supplemental
appropriations of $3.3 billion were approved in P.L. 105-18 after flooding in the Dakotas and
Minnesota, and after storms in other states were declared major disasters. The legislation specified,
however, that of the total, $2.3 billion was to be available in FY1998 only when FEMA submitted a
cost control report to Congress. This requirement was met, and the funding was made available in
FY1998.
M The FY1998 request consisted of a $320 million base amount plus $2.388 billion “to address actual
and projected requirements from 1997 and prior year declarations.” (Budget Appendix FY1998, p.
1047).
N Supplemental appropriations legislation (P.L. 105-174) for FY1998 approved for flooding associated
with El Niño and other disasters.
O The FY1999 request consisted of $307,745,000 for the DRF and an additional $2,258,485,000 in
contingency funding to be available when designated as an emergency requirement under the Balanced
Budget Act of 1985, as amended.
P The FY1999 omnibus appropriations act (P.L. 105-277) included funds for costs associated with
Hurricane Georges, flooding associated with El Niño, and other disasters.
Q Emergency supplemental appropriations for FY1999 (P.L. 106-31) included $900 million for
tornado damages as well as $230 million for unmet needs, subject to allocation directions in the
conference report (H.Rept. 106-143).
R FY2000 appropriations act (P.L. 106-74) included disaster relief funding as follows: $300 million
in regular appropriations and $2.5 billion designated as emergency spending for costs associated with
Hurricane Floyd and other disasters. In addition, the Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 106-113)
authorized the Director of FEMA to use up to $215 million in disaster relief funds appropriated in P.L.
106-74 for the purchase of residences flooded by Hurricane Floyd, under specified conditions.
S Supplemental appropriations legislation (P.L. 106-246) authorized that $77 million from the DRF
to be used for buyout and relocation assistance for victims of Hurricane Floyd. The Act also
appropriated $500 million in a separate account for claim compensation and administrative costs
associated with the Cerro Grande fire that destroyed much of Los Alamos, New Mexico.
T P.L. 107-38 appropriated $40 billion in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Pursuant to the statute, these funds for FY2001 were allocated by the Office of Management Budget

---

CRS-9
from the Emergency Response Fund (ERF).
Of the total appropriated in P.L. 107-38 after the
September 11 attacks, $4.4 billion were allocated for FY2001 through P.L. 107-117 (115 Stat. 2338).
U Congress appropriated $2.651 billion for FY2002 in P.L. 107-206 to meet additional needs
associated with the terrorist attacks. Funds for FY2002 also include $4.4 billion provided from the
ERF, largely for recovery costs in New York City.
V Outlay data based on current estimates.
Wildfire Management
The 2000 and 2002 fire seasons were, by most standards, among the worst in
the past 50 years. Many argue that the threat of severe wildfires has grown, because
many forests have unnaturally high fuel loads (e.g., dead trees and dense
undergrowth) and an historically unnatural mix of plant species (e.g., selectively
logged or containing exotic invaders). Fuel treatments have been proposed to reduce
the threats from wildfires, including prescribed burning (setting fires under specific
conditions); commercial logging followed with appropriate slash disposal; and other
treatments (e.g., pre-commercial thinning). Proponents of fuel reduction argue that
needed treatments often are delayed by environmental studies, administrative
appeals, and litigation. However, many project opponents fear that simplifying fuel
reduction projects could enable timber companies to increase logging on federal
lands and that such projects might not receive proper environmental review.11
In response to the succession of wildfires, Congress has appropriated more
funds for wildfire management in each successive fiscal year since FY1999, as
shown below in Table 3.
Table 3. Wildfire Management Appropriations, FY1999-FY2004
($ in millions)
FY2004
FY1999
FY2000
FY2001
FY2002
FY2003
Agency
Request
Forest Service
722.4
1,008.0
1,882.8
1,560.3
2,007.0
1,541.8
Bureau of Land Mgt.
336.9
591.0
977.1
678.4
839.2
698.7
Total Wildfire
1,059.3
1,598.9
2,859.9
2,238.8
2,846.1
2,240.5
Source: CRS Report RS21544, Wildfire Protection Funding by Ross W. Gorte.
11 For more information see: CRS Issue Brief IB10076, Public (BLM) Lands and National
Forests, Ross W. Gorte and Carol Hardy Vincent, coordinators and CRS Report RS21544,
Wildfire Protection Funding, by Ross W. Gorte.

---

CRS-10
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
On February 1, 2003, NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart while
returning to Earth from a 16-day science mission in orbit. All seven astronauts — six
Americans and one Israeli — were killed. An investigation began immediately after
the disaster occurred and continues. Three hearings have been held on the Columbia
disaster to date, and more are expected once the Columbia Accident Investigation
Board releases its report later this summer. The Consolidated Appropriations
Resolution for FY2003 (P.L. 108-7) included $50 million for the recovery and
investigation of the disaster. The President’s request includes an additional $50
million for those costs.12
Conclusion
The activities included in the President’s second FY2003 supplemental
request — funding needs for wildfires, disasters, and the Columbia disaster —
appear relatively noncontroversial. Debate has already occurred, and may continue,
on additional funds sought by Members of Congress for activities not requested by
the President, notably funding for AmeriCorps grants.
12 For more information see: CRS Report RS21408, NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick
Facts and Issues for Congress, by Marcia S. Smith. CRS Report RL31821, The National
Aeronautics and Space Administration’s FY2004 Budget Request: Description, Analysis,
and Issues for Congress, by Marcia S. Smith, Daniel Morgan, and Wendy Schacht.

---