Remarks Following a Meeting With the Republican Senate Conference,
September 28, 2006

I just had a really constructive and interesting session with Republican Members of the United States Senate. I’m impressed by the leadership here in the Senate. I’m impressed by the caliber of people that serve our country.

I want to congratulate the House for passing a very vital piece of legislation that will give us the tools necessary to protect the American people, and that’s the Hamdan legislation. That’s the legislation that will give us the capacity to be able to interrogate high-valued detainees, and at the same time, give us the capacity to try people who—in our military tribunals.

In speaking to the Senate, I urged them to get this legislation to my desk as soon as possible. Senator Frist and Senator McConnell committed to that end. The American people need to know we’re working together to win this war on terror. Our most important responsibility is to protect the American people from further attack, and we cannot be able to tell the American people we’re doing our full job unless we have the tools necessary to do so. And this legislation passed in the House yesterday is a part of making sure that we do have the capacity to protect you.

Our most solemn job is the security of this country. People shouldn’t forget there’s still an enemy out there that wants to do harm to the United States. And therefore a lot of my discussion with the Members of the Senate was to remind them of this solemn responsibility. And so I look forward to you passing good legislation, Senators. Thank you for having me. Appreciate your time.

Note: The President spoke at 9:16 a.m. at the United States Capitol. In his remarks, he referred to H.R. 6166.