Congressional negotiators reached a deal Nov. 12 to create a homeland security department, ending a stalemate between Democrats and Republicans, according to press accounts. The Republican-controlled House is likely to pass the measure. The Senate, currently controlled by Democrats, is expected to begin debate, although final passage could be delayed into next week.

Passage had been held up because of a fight between Bush and Senate Democrats over provisions dealing with worker rights. Bush wanted broad powers to manage the 170,000-employee agency and relief from some civil service rules covering labor issues.

The compromise would require the department to negotiate any workplace changes with the employees' union and require federal mediation if no agreement was reached. But in the end, the department could make whatever changes it wanted.