    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [July 30, 2005]
    [Pages 1283-1285]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    July 30, 2005

        Good morning. This year Congress and I have addressed many key
    priorities of the American people, and we're making great progress.
        At the start of the year, I urged Congress to ease the burden of
    junk lawsuits on American workers, businesses, and families, so Congress
    passed, and I signed bipartisan class-action reform. We called for
    restoring integrity to the bankruptcy process, so Congress passed, and I
    signed commonsense reform of our Nation's bankruptcy laws. I requested
    vital funds for our men and women in uniform, so Congress passed, and I
    proudly signed critical legislation to give our troops the resources
    they need to fight and win the war on terror.
        This past week has brought even more progress, with four major
    achievements. First, I signed into law a patient safety bill

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    that will improve our health care system by reducing medical errors.
    Second, Congress came to an agreement on a highway bill that will
    improve safety, modernize our roads and bridges, and create jobs. Third,
    Congress passed the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade
    Agreement. This historic agreement will reduce barriers to American
    goods, services, and crops, and make our Nation more secure by
    strengthening the young democracies in our neighborhood.
        Finally, after years of debate, Republicans and Democrats in
    Congress came together to pass a comprehensive energy plan that will
    reduce America's dependence on foreign sources of energy. This bill will
    encourage conservation and efficiency, increase domestic production,
    promote alternative and renewable resources, and modernize the
    electricity grid. I thank the Members of Congress who worked so hard on
    this vital legislation, and I look forward to signing it into law.
        As Members of Congress return home for their August recess, I plan
    to travel to seven States around the country. I will talk to Americans
    about our growing economy. Thanks to the tax relief we passed and the
    spending restraint, our economy today is growing faster than any other
    major industrialized country. The unemployment rate is down to 5
    percent, lower than the average of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. We
    created more than 2 million jobs in the past 12 months. More Americans
    are working today than ever before in our Nation's history.
        The 2005 deficit is projected to be $94 billion less than previously
    expected, and we're now ahead of the pace needed to meet my goal of
    cutting the deficit in half by 2009.
        We have more to do, and I will not be satisfied until every American
    who wants to work can find a job. I look forward to talking to the
    American people about our plans to continue strengthening the economic
    security of America's seniors and working families.
        During August, I will also meet with our troops and their families
    and update the American people on the latest developments in the war on
    terror. We have a comprehensive strategy in place. We're improving our
    homeland security and intelligence. The House renewed the key provisions
    of the PATRIOT Act that were set to expire at the end of this year, and
    I call on the Senate to do the same.
        We're also spreading freedom, because free countries are peaceful.
    And we're staying on the offensive against the terrorists, fighting them
    abroad so we do not have to face them here at home.
        I also urge Members of the Senate to use August to prepare to act on
    my nomination of Judge John Roberts to
    serve on the Supreme Court. This talented and capable man will fairly
    interpret the Constitution and laws, not legislate from the bench. Judge
    Roberts's time on the DC Circuit Court, his service at the Department of
    Justice and at the White House in two administrations, his impressive
    career as a top attorney in private practice, and his stellar academic
    and legal background demonstrate why Americans of all points of view
    have expressed their support for him.
        One of the highest honors for any lawyer is to argue a case before
    the Supreme Court. In his extraordinary career, Judge Roberts has argued a remarkable 39 cases before the
    Nation's highest court. I look forward to working with the Senate in the
    weeks ahead so that Judge Roberts can receive a timely and dignified
    hearing and be confirmed before the Court reconvenes on October the 3d.
        Our achievements so far this year show how much can be done when we
    come together to do what is right for the American people. When Congress
    returns in September, I will continue to work with the Republicans and
    Democrats to build on this good progress for all Americans.
        Thank you for listening.

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    Note: The address was recorded at 7:36 a.m. on July 29 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July 30. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    July 29 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this
    address.