Jim Sensenbrenner: “I rise in support of H.R. 3036, the Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2004 through…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 3036, the Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2004 through 2006. During the 107th Congress, I was pleased to secure bipartisan passage of the 21st century Department of Justice Authorization Appropriations Act, which comprehensibly reauthorized the Department of Justice for the first time since 1979. During consideration of that legislation, I committed to pursuing a regular authorization process to ensure that the Committee on the Judiciary provides the Department of Justice with clear guidance and continuing oversight. With an annual budget of around $20 billion and a workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Department of Justice is an enormous institution. Its importance has only increased since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. As chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, I have worked to provide the Department with the necessary resources to assess, prevent, and punish terrorist acts that threaten America's domestic security while preserving our civil liberties.”