    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [January 3, 2006]
    [Pages 3-4]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting on the PATRIOT Act
    January 3, 2006

        Earlier today, I spoke to Governor Manchin of West Virginia. I told him that Americans all across
    our country were praying for the miners who are trapped in the mine
    there in West Virginia. I told him that I appreciated the great
    outpouring of compassion from the West Virginia citizens toward those
    worried family members. I also assured him that the Federal Government
    will help the folks in West Virginia any way we can to bring those
    miners out of that mine, hopefully in good condition. And may God bless
    those who are trapped below the Earth, and may God bless those who are
    concerned about those trapped below the Earth.
        I also have just met with folks on the frontline of fighting the war
    on terror. U.S. Attorneys from around the country have joined us. Folks
    from the FBI, whose job it is to protect the American people, are with
    us as well.
        We're talking about the PATRIOT Act and how useful the PATRIOT Act
    has been to safeguard America and, at the same time, safeguard liberties
    of Americans. And yet, the PATRIOT Act is going to expire in 30 days.
    And these good folks, whose task it is to do everything they can to
    protect the American people from a terrorist enemy that wants to hit us
    again, is asking the United States Congress to give them the tools
    necessary to do their jobs. And I'm asking the Congress to do so as
    well.
        The American people expect to be protected, and the PATRIOT Act is a
    really important tool for them to stay protected. You know, the Congress
    says to people in the administration, ``How come you haven't connected
    the dots?'' And the PATRIOT Act is an important way to help connect the
    dots to protect the people.
        This PATRIOT Act was passed overwhelmingly by the United States
    Congress

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    in 2001. Members from both parties came together and said, ``We will
    give those on the frontline of protecting America the tools necessary to
    protect American citizens and, at the same time, guard the civil
    liberties of our citizens.'' For 4 years, that's what's happened. These
    good folks have used the PATRIOT Act to protect America. There's
    oversight on this important program. And now, when it came time to renew
    the act, for partisan reasons, in my mind, people have not stepped up
    and have agreed that it's still necessary to protect the country. The
    enemy has not gone away. They're still there. And I expect Congress to
    understand that we're still at war, and they've got to give us the tools
    necessary to win this war.
        And so for the next 30 days, I look forward to working with Members
    of Congress and speaking to the American people as clearly as I can
    about the importance of renewing the PATRIOT Act.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:42 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Joe Manchin III of West
    Virginia. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of these remarks.