NEWS

WASHINGTON, June 1 (Summary of Reuters Article) - Members of Congress called for an investigation of Vice President Richard Cheney's involvement in awarding Halliburton a no-bid contract in Iraq. An internal Pentagon email reported yesterday in Time magazine indicates Cheney had coordinated with the Pentagon to award a $7 billion contract to Halliburton to repair Iraq's dilapidated oil infrastructure. The email contradicts Cheney's previous statements that he had no such involvement. The vice president continues to receive a deferred salary of over $150,000 from Halliburton each year. The email shows "clear evidence" of a relationship between Cheney and Halliburton's contracts awarded by the military, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said. "It totally contradicts the vice president's previous assertions of having no contact" with federal officials about Halliburton's military contracts, he said. "It would be irresponsible not to hold hearings," he added. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) also called for an investigation of Cheney.