WASHINGTON IN BRIEF
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge starts work next week as the nation's director of homeland security, but some lawmakers question whether he will have the power to get much done.</br></br>Senior members of the House's new terrorism subcommittee introduced legislation yesterday that would give him authority to reject other agencies' counterterrorism budgets and require his confirmation by the Senate. President Bush named Ridge to his new post in the wake of last month's terrorist attacks.</br></br>"He needs the force of law, more than just the bully pulpit," said Rep. Jane Harman (Calif.), the subcommittee's ranking Democrat.</br></br>Rep. Jim Gibbons (R-Nev.), the subcommittee's vice chairman, said, "Without this legislation, Governor Gov. Ridge cannot do the job that President Bush has tasked him to do."</br></br>Harman said supporters may try to have the legislation considered as part of the broad anti-terrorism package the House is expected to consider next week.