President George W. Bush signed a seven-year extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, adding domestic terrorist events to the program, but leaving out coverage for attacks using weapons of mass destruction–much to the chagrin of House Democrats supporting a far more expansive bill.

Democrats in the House voiced frustration at having to settle for a far less comprehensive and shorter-term extension of the nation's federal terrorism reinsurance backstop than they desired, but vowed to continue the battle next year to expand the program's scope.

But while House hearings exploring additional provisions next year are likely, most congressional staffers and industry lobbyists believe it will be seven years–the length of the current extension–before a substantive opportunity arises again to revamp the measure.

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