    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [December 21, 2005]
    [Pages 1897-1898]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action To Reauthorize PATRIOT Act Reauthorization
    Legislation
    December 21, 2005

        I appreciate the Senate for working to keep the existing PATRIOT Act
    in law through next July, despite boasts last week by the Democratic
    leader that he had blocked the act. No one should
    be allowed

    [[Page 1898]]

    to block the PATRIOT Act to score political points, and I am grateful
    the Senate rejected that approach. The terrorists want to attack our
    country again and inflict even greater damage than they did on September
    11, 2001. The PATRIOT Act is a vital tool for America in the war on
    terror. The act has torn down the wall between law enforcement and
    intelligence officials to help us connect the dots and prevent attacks.
    The work of Congress on the PATRIOT Act is not finished. The act will
    expire next summer, but the terrorist threat to America will not expire
    on that schedule. I look forward to continuing to work with Congress to
    reauthorize the PATRIOT Act.