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CNN Live Event/Special

Dick Cheney Continues Tour of California

Aired February 20, 2002 - 13:52   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: In a moment here, we are going to head out to Fresno, California. The vice president, Dick Cheney, now at the podium. We shall listen in, tap into his four-day swing there through the Golden State. Here is Dick Cheney.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There is still a need, we believe, to take action to guarantee that all Americans who want a job can get a job and that we have an economic recovery here as fast as possible and put a floor, if you will, under the economy to guarantee the future prosperity of the nation. The House of Representatives has passed a stimulus bill; the Senate hasn't. We hope the Senate will give serious consideration to doing what needs to be done to join with the House in that important initiative.

There are other areas that are vital to us, too. Here in the valley, where agriculture is so important, it's very important that we move on with getting a decent farm bill passed. We've got legislation now through the House and the Senate; it's pending in conference committee. We'll be talking about that today with some of our friends here in the valley. Ann Veneman's working hard on that in the agricultural area. But that'll be a top priority.

We want to move aggressively on trade legislation, to give the president the authority to knock down barriers to American products and exports. The House, again, has passed legislation; the Senate's not yet acted, but we hope they will.

And we need a decent energy policy. At the heart of our economy, and a fundamental building block for our economy long term, is to have abundant supplies of affordable energy. The House has passed our bill; the Senate hasn't. We hope they'll act sometime in the very near future.

All of these are critical priorities for us as a nation, and they're all important, more important than any partisan differences. The fight against terror has shown just how much we can accomplish when the nation is united and when the political parties work together behind the leadership of a great president.

Whatever lies ahead, this much is certain: We will overcome the challenges facing our country and make this a decade for success for the cause of freedom. If any country can get it done, that country is the United States of America.

(APPLAUSE)

So it's my honor to serve alongside a president who's making us all proud. And I want to thank all of you for being out here this morning. We greatly appreciate your support. And we'll do our level best to give you the kind of administration you can be proud of.

Thank you very much.

(APPLAUSE)

HEMMER: Dick Cheney, final comments there in Fresno, California. Again, we picked him up earlier in this week, a four-day swing throughout California. A mix of policy speeching (ph) and campaign fundraising out there for the vice president.

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