Our support for the Patriot Act does not mean a blank check for the president. What we tried to do on a bipartisan basis is have a better bill. It has been improved.
I have no confidence he will serve as a real check on abuse of power so expansive with this administration. President Bush continues to believe he is above the law ... No one is above the law and we need a strong federal judiciary to protect against this abuse.
At a time when the president is abusing his power at every turn, I cannot vote to confirm a judge who won't be an independent check on the executive branch.