Happening now, breaking news, Dick Cheney has died.

The man widely viewed as the most powerful modern day vice president has passed away at

the age of 84.

Cheney was a Washington power broker for decades serving in Congress, the Pentagon, and the

White House. Welcome to our viewers here in the United, and the White House.

Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world.

I'm Wolf Blitzer with Pamela Brown, and you're in the Situation Room.

This is CNN Breaking News.

We begin with the breaking news.

The former Vice President, Dick Cheney, has died.

He passed away last night at 84 years old.

Cheney was surrounded by members of his family, including his wife of 61 years, Lynn, and his daughters, Liz and Mary.

And in a statement, his family wrote in part, Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children

and grandchildren to love our country and to live lives of courage,

honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.

We are grateful beyond measure for all Dick Cheney did for our country, and we are

blessed beyond measure to have loved and been loved by this noble giant of a man.

Dick Cheney had a storied political career from serving in Congress to hunkering down in an

underground bunker during 9-11 to speaking out against President Trump.

Gradually, I realized that the person who was best qualified to be my vice presidential nominee was working by my side. For most of his adult life, Richard Bruce Cheney was the ultimate Washington insider.

That I will well and faithfully discharge.

The duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

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