GOP lawmaker joins call for probe of Iraq contracts

Rep. Jim Gibbons of Nevada this weekend became the first Republican House member to join Democratic calls for hearings into allegations that Halliburton Co. charged up to $61 million too much for delivering gasoline to Iraqi citizens under a no-bid contract.

Gibbons called the allegations "an absolute outrage" and said he wants the House Armed Services Committee to hold hearings early next year on Halliburton -- which was headed by Vice President Dick Cheney before the latter assumed his current post.

"If these allegations, which were found in a Pentagon audit of government contracts [are] true, then it's time for Halliburton to break out its checkbook and refund American taxpayers," the Associated Press quoted Gibbons as saying.

Gibbons, who also said he is concerned by news reports that Halliburton may have overcharged $67 million to supply cafeteria services to U.S. soldiers in Iraq, added: "I don't think Dick Cheney had anything to do with these contracts. He's far too smart to do it ... I just think it's greedy overreaching by Halliburton."