DETERMINED to show a united front, the US Congress moved with uncommon speed toward approving 40 billion dollars (£27bn) to combat terrorism and recover from attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon -- double the amount President George Bush requested.

Lawmakers also seemed to be nearing agreement on a separate measure that would back the use of "necessary and appropriate force" by Bush against the people responsible for Tuesday's attacks.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert said the House could consider that Bill as early as today.

He said lawmakers agreed to drop earlier language opposed by some lawmakers that would also have approved use of force by Bush to "deter and pre-empt any related future acts of terrorism or aggression against the United States."

Opponents said that would have gone too far in eliminating Congress's role in future incidents.

Leaders were hoping to push the spending measure through the House today, with the Senate to follow.

An 11th-hour disagreement, with White House officials seeking fewer congressional restraints on spending much of the money, dashed leaders' hopes of completing the spending measure yesterday.