US trips at last hurdle on anti-terror bill

Even though leaders on both sides agree that there’s an urgent need to take action, chances are dimming that Congress will meet Mr Bush’s goal of getting a department launched by Jan. 1.

‘‘The Bill’s on a life support system,’’ said Senator Fred Thompson, Representative-Tennesse. ‘‘Unless something happens in the very near future, there will not be a Homeland Security Bill this year.’’

Democrats have aligned themselves with labour unions in battling Bush and the Republicans, who are pushing for broad management freedoms.

But with no agreement in sight, Majority leader Tom Daschle, Democrat-South Daakota, said on Tuesday that the Senate likely will ‘‘interrupt’’ the homeland security debate to consider the use of force in Iraq and other unfinished business.

Bush and Republicans have cast Democrats as captive of their union allies, while Democrats complain that the President has shown no willingness to compromise. The matter has grown more politically heated in recent days after Bush accused the Democrats of endangering national security by refusing to pass his plan.

The House passed a Homeland Security Bill in July. Even if the Senate acts, a final version of the legislation then must be drafted in a conference with the House. Then both chambers must consider it and, if passed, send it to Bush for signing.

Daschle refused to rule out a breakthrough, saying the Senate will ‘‘come back and come back and come back’’ to homeland security even if it means re-conveying in a lame-duck session after the November midterm elections.

Bush wants new freedoms to hire, fire, move and discipline the homeland security work force.

Most Democrats are backing a proposal that would require Bush to work with unions before overhauling personnel systems. Any disputes would go to a review board appointed by Bush.

It would also permit Bush to remove homeland security workers from unions but only after showing that their job duties had changed to primarily involve sensitive anti-terrorist matters.

When the Senate began the debate on September 3, Daschle vowed to remain focused on it until conclusion. But after ‘‘spinning our wheels,’’ Daschle said on Tuesday, some time now might be better spent on Iraq and other matters.

Daschle and other Democrats accused Republicans of blocking the law. The Democrats have attempted to close debate and take a vote five times in the past few weeks, but each time fell far short of generating the 60-vote ‘‘super-majority’’ needed.