Many key elements of the Patriot Act are now set to expire at the end of this year. We must not allow the passage of time or the illusion of safety to weaken our resolve in this new war.
To protect the American people, Congress must promptly renew all provisions of the Patriot Act this year.
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Your mission to ensure equal justice for every American extends far beyond the war on terror. By aggressively prosecuting gun criminals and drug dealers, you make neighborhoods safer for all families.
BUSH: By holding corporate wrongdoers to account, you build confidence in our economy. By protecting victims of child abuse and domestic violence, you help guarantee a compassionate society. And by defending the civil rights of every American, you affirm the dignity of every life and you set an example of liberty for the entire world.
As we strive to provide equal justice, we must ensure that Americans of all races and backgrounds trust the legal system.
By spreading the use of DNA analysis, we can solve more crimes, lock up more criminals and prevent wrongful conviction. So I've asked Congress for more than $1 billion over five years to expand this vital technology.
And to help ensure the death penalty is applied justly, I have also requested new funding to train prosecutors, judges and defense counsels in capital cases.
To maintain confidence in the legal system, we must ensure that judges faithfully interpret the law, not legislate from the bench.
I have a constitutional responsibility to nominate well-qualified men and women for the federal courts. I have done so.
And I have benefited greatly from the sound judgment of Attorney General Gonzales on picking qualified people to serve on our benches. I will continue to rely on his advice.
And the United States Senate must also live up to its constitutional responsibility. Every judicial nominee deserves a prompt hearing and an up-or-down vote on the floor of the United States Senate.
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BUSH: As he embarks on all these duties, Attorney General Gonzales has my complete confidence.
