TRIA only covers foreign terrorist attacks on properties, notclaims resulting from domestic terror acts. CIAT is asking for atwo-year extension.

"We believe that Congress should enact that extension now, thisyear, to ensure that everyone who needs coverage can buy it."Marriott Corp. president and CEO Christopher J. Nassetta said intestimony today before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing andUrban Affairs. "Only this will avoid gaps in availability duringthe 2004-2005 insurance renewal season. Any uncertainty during thecoming year could impair economic activity--especially newcommercial construction--and job growth, as clearly occurredbetween 9/11 and November 2002 when TRIA was enacted." Marriott isa CIAT member and Nassetta was speaking on behalf of theorganization.

Some organizations, such as the Consumer Federation of America,say TRIA should be allowed to expire because the insurance industrycan afford to cover payouts for claims from terrorist attacks.