CNN Lou Dobbs Tonight - Transcript

CNN Lou Dobbs Tonight - Transcript
Tuesday, June 28, 2005

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DOBBS: Communist China is aggressively pursuing its economic and national security interests globally, and so far the United States hasn't done much to counteract its initiatives.

A shocking example tonight: American taxpayers may soon be asked to subsidize the construction of nuclear power plants in China. My guest tonight says that's simply absurd.

Joining me now from Capitol Hill, Congressman Bernie Sanders. Congressman, how in the world could this be going on?

REP. BERNIE SANDERS (I), VERMONT: You got me, Lou, and that's why we're offering an amendment to prohibit it.

On top of all of the rest, the absurdity of subsidizing nuclear power plants in China, do you know who owns the Westinghouse Electric Company in the United States that would get the subsidy? It's the British government.

(LAUGHTER)

SANDERS: The British government owns that particular company. So we are subsidizing the British government to build nuclear power plants in communist China. May make sense to some people, not to me.

DOBBS: Congressman, I laugh because really, the only other choice is either outright indifference, or simply to cry. What do you suppose the reaction will be to your -- to your legislation?

SANDERS: I think we've got a good chance to win it. I think a lot of Democrats are sympathetic to us, and as are conservative Republicans. The National Taxpayers Union is supporting us. Environmental groups are supporting us. Common sense is supporting us. I think we stand a pretty good chance to win.

DOBBS: Well, I thought you did too, until you said "common sense." Let me ask you, Congressman, your view about the Chinese bid for Unocal, your position?

SANDERS: I'm strongly opposed to that. I mean, we're in the midst of an energy crisis. Oil prices -- the gas pump are soaring. I think, we should not be giving the Chinese government power over the energy that the American people need.

DOBBS: And on Iraq, the president goes before the nation tonight. Are you expecting the president to be specific in his outline for victory in Iraq?

SANDERS: I hope he is. We have -- as you've indicated, the casualties have been very serious and I think the American people do not want to see our troops there for five years, ten years. I think they want an exit strategy, and they want to know when our troops are beginning to come home. DOBBS: Congressman Bernie Sanders, we thank you for being here.

SANDERS: Thank you.

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