TOPICS > Politics  Background: Stimulating Politics  October 24,
2001 at 12:00 AM EDT   KWAME HOLMAN: Members of congress parked
their cars on the Capitol’s east plaza this morning because all
but one congressional office building and adjacent areas
remained off limits as environmental checks continued. With the
temperature at a record high, some business was conducted. One
House member even set up a makeshift office on the plaza,
helping make for a livelier scene on the Capitol campus than
there’s been in days. Leading House members came outside to
discuss the main business of the day, competing plans from
Republicans and Democrats on how best to invigorate the stagnant
national economy.  REP. DENNIS HASTERT, Speaker of the House:
The attacks have made consumers and businesses pull back from
spending. In light of this situation, Congress and the President
must act again to help our economy and to prevent the situation
from worsening. We must get our workers back to work and
strengthen our businesses so they