Nevada Congressman Jim Gibbons has called for congressional hearings of Vice President Dick Cheney's former company, calling allegations that it overcharged for fuel in Iraq ``an absolute outrage.''

Gibbons says he wants the House Armed Services Committee to hold hearings early next year on allegations that Halliburton charged up to $61-million dollars too much for delivering gasoline to Iraqi citizens under a no-bid contract. The Republican says if the allegations contained in a Pentagon audit are found to be correct, then Halliburton should refund the government. The company denies overcharging.

Gibbons, a committee member, is the first member of Congress to call for congressional hearings of the company. His request comes as Democrats demand further investigations. Gibbons says he's also concerned by news reports that Halliburton may have overcharged an additional $67-million dollars to supply cafeteria services to U-S soldiers in Iraq.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)