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CNN Live Event/Special

President Bush Speaks on Trade Promotion Authority

Aired July 26, 2002 - 16:50   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.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... get a homeland security bill. Believe we're going to get trade promotion authority, which will be good for jobs and American workers.

We got a corporate responsibility bill; it's a good piece of legislation, overwhelmingly supported by both Republicans and by Democrats. The American people saw last week that this administration and our Justice Department will track down those and prosecute those CEOs who break the law.

So we're making good progress here. I wanted to thank the members of the House that I talked to about how pleased I am at the progress we're making.

QUESTION: What about prescription drugs on the Senate side?

BUSH: Well, we'll see what comes out. I do believe there needs to be prescription drugs in Medicare. I've said that ever since I became the president. And we'll see what happens.

Right now I'm focused on the trade vote. We're going to get a free trade agreement, which is very important for jobs and workers, very important for our farmers and ranchers, and it's very important for our economy.

We're going to get a good homeland security bill. And as you know, we got a good corporate responsibility and a bankruptcy bill. So a lot has taken place here, and I'm real proud of the members of both parties.

Thank you.

(CROSSTALK)

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: As you can see, sometimes breaking news happens in more than one place at a time. While we were hearing from the Pennsylvania official, telling us that they did finally get the drilling bit out of one of the holes -- they are resuming drilling to try to get to those miners trapped underground since Wednesday night -- President Bush came out of his meetings at the Capitol. He has been meeting with Republicans there, pushing his trade-promotion authority.

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