The US Senate today approved $40 billion in emergency aid to help the victims and hunt down the perpetrators of this week's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
The 96-0 Senate vote came just hours before President Bush, accompanied by a contingent of New York political leaders, was to visit Ground Zero - the site where two hijacked jets rammed into the World Trade Center towers.
Senate Minority Leader Mr Trent Lott lauded the rapid-fire work that brought agreement on both the spending and a separate measure authorising the president to use of force.
"These are different times," Mr Lott told colleagues. "And we have got to act decisively. The American people expect it of us, and they will accept nothing less."
"It is the down payment on providing the resources necessary to rebuild this nation," said Mr David Obey, top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. The 40 billion dollars package was double what the White House originally requested from Congress.
The bill provides an immediate $10 billion to be used to respond to the attacks, counter domestic and international terrorism, increase transport security and repair facilities damaged by the facilities.
Under the agreement reached with the White House, at least half the 40 billion will go to disaster recovery activities in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, where a fourth hijacked plane crashed last Tuesday.
The Pentagon is in Virginia across the Potomac River from Washington.
President Bush, in seeking the use of force authorisation, joined his predecessors in the White House in stressing that, as commander in chief, he has the authority to launch military attacks overseas. But he said it was important for Congress to show solidarity with whatever steps he undertakes against those involved in the attacks.
"If he feels there is a need for clarity, we want to provide that clarity," Senate Majority Leader Mr Tom Daschle said.
AP