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The Journal of the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at The George Washington University

Abstract

One of the prominent features of the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 (BEA) is the provision for emergency spending. Since the implementation of the BEA, emergency supplemental appropriations have been granted in a variety of situations, from droughts to wars and earthquakes to riots. Most recently, appropriations were made available in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. This article describes the emergency appropriations process following the attacks. Additionally, proposed alternatives to the current appropriations process are presented and assessed in light of the events of September 11.

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