Congress Exits After Final Homeland Act

Congress concluded it business for the year Friday after sending President Bush legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security.

With its chamber nearly deserted, the House used a voice vote to rubber stamp a final version of the bill containing technical changes made by the Senate. The measure, which became one of Mr. Bush's top priorities, will combine the Customs Service, Coast Guard and 20 other agencies into a single Cabinet-level department for battling terrorism.

The close of Friday's short session formally ended the 107th Congress.

Democrats briefly threatened to block passage of the homeland measure until next week, but in the end relented. They complained that lawmakers should not go home for the year without first extending unemployment benefits for nearly 1 million people who will begin losing coverage three days after Christmas.

"Congress is here insisting on playing Scrooge at Christmas time when we ought to be showing a little mercy," said Rep. David Obey, D-Wis.

The House initially approved the homeland measure on Nov. 13. But it was forced to revisit it because the Senate version had a different bill number and made about 10 technical changes, such as different section numbers. The House and Senate must approve identical bills before they can be sent to the president for his signature.

The Senate approved the legislation on Tuesday, a day before it adjourned for the year.

Most House members left town for the year last week.

The 108th Congress, with Republicans controlling the House and Senate, is scheduled to convene Jan. 7.