Washington Observer.

This article presents news briefs related to the construction industry as of October 11, 2004. Non-defense federal agencies will keep running through Nov. 20, under a stopgap spending bill that U.S. President George W. Bush signed on September 30. The measure, which the U.S. House and Senate passed Sept. 29, also permits shifting more than $3 billion from Iraq reconstruction to security and economic development there. Congressional attempts to expand a corporate tax and trade bill now in final negotiation could sink the entire package or at least delay final consideration until after the November election.