Vice president Pence lauds small business during Missouri visit

FENTON, Mo. -- Vice President Mike Pence told a Missouri crowd small business is the "beating heart that creates prosperity and growth."

Pence spoke Wednesday at Fabick Cat, a company in the St. Louis suburb of Fenton that rents, sells and services Caterpillar equipment. The 1,100-employee company celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

Pence toured the plant, then told small-business owners President Donald Trump is their "biggest fan." He said the administration is focused on cutting taxes for working families, business and family farms, and on cutting regulations.

Pence also touted Trump's plan to end the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act and replace it with a better, less-expensive health-care system, and to take "decisive action" to halt illegal immigration and strengthen the U.S. border.