House and Senate conferees are closing in on a final compromise providing a federal "backstop" to insurance companies for large, future terrorism-related claims. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), a key negotiator, said Oct. 17 that "we are on the brink of a very good and strong agreement dealing with terrorism insurance." But Dodd said conferees still had to sign the agreement and it had to be approved by the Senate and House and signed by President Bush.
Although Congress is holding pro forma sessions before the Nov. 5 elections, final approval of the insurance measure may have to wait until a post-election lame-duck session.