[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 99 (Tuesday, July 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY'S EXPENSIVE ELECTRICITY BILL

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                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 17, 2001

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, oh, pity the Vice President. His 
electricity bill is too expensive. It seems that like many other 
Americans, the Vice President is faced with an intolerably high energy 
bill this year.
  What is our unfortunate Vice President to do?
  President Bush has suggested that American people spend their tax-
rebate check to pay their energy bills. Regrettably, the Vice 
President's rebate check will be not enough to cover his costs--his 
electricity bill is in the six-figure range.
  Perhaps he would be well served by turning off some more lights 
around the house as Lyndon Johnson used to do, or maybe turning his 
air-conditioner off when he is not at home. But until recently, the 
Vice President has not been strong on conservation--dismissing it as 
``a sign of personal virtue, but not the basis for a sound, 
comprehensive energy policy.''
  Consistent with that thinking, Vice President Cheney said, ``If you 
want to leave all the lights on in your house, you can. There's no law 
against it. But you will pay for it.''
  Well, thankfully, the Vice President is putting his money where his 
mouth is.
  Or is he?
  You see now, Mr. Cheney, with his 33-room mansion and $186,000 per 
year energy bill, doesn't want to ``pay for it.'' He wants the United 
States Navy to pick up the tab, and House Republicans are going to 
extraordinary lengths to help him get off the hook. House Republicans 
are poised to relieve his official budget from paying for his 
electricity costs, by passing the buck on to our sailors in the Navy.
  That's correct, in a classic instance of do-as-I-say, not-as-I-do, 
Mr. Cheney, doesn't want to pay his electricity bill. If only the 
American public had it so easy, to be able to pass their bills on to 
somebody else.
  Coming from an Administration that is doing nothing to help consumers 
cope with the sharp rise in electricity prices, this raises real 
questions.
  Mr. Vice President at least practice what you preach, and pay for 
your own electricity bill.

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