US President George W. Bush called on the US Senate to approve funding for military operations, including the war in Iraq, and to renew a controversial package of anti-terrorism laws. “The terrorists want to hit us again,” Bush told reporters in prepared remarks on the South Lawn of the White House. “We must have the tools necessary to protect the American people.” He spoke as the US Senate considered the annual defense budget as well as whether to renew parts of the Patriot Act, a series of measures bolstering law enforcement powers passed in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, before they expire at the end of the year. Full Story