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Posted on 12/06/2001 1:14:08 AM PST by kattracks

An aide said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) put the tip mechanism on his Web site after writing Cheney on Tuesday seeking information on "secret contacts your energy task force had with Enron Corp."

Cheney has refused to release information on industry lobbyists and executives consulted by the task force that he headed while formulating a Bush administration energy plan this year.

"We urge Enron employees who have information about the meetings with Vice President Cheney to share it with us, as well as relevant information about [any] improper activities by Ken Lay and others," Waxman aide Phil Schiliro said.

Lay is Enron's chief and big-time Bush campaign benefactor.

Waxman's Web site also solicits any information "relevant to our investigation" of the utility trader's spectacular collapse. House and Senate panels are considering probes.

Cheney spokesman Mary Matalin said: "The office of the vice president has provided and will continue to provide appropriate responses to Congressman Waxman. These self-serving political acts deserve no response."

The Enron controversy also quickly provoked questions about President Bush's new Republican National Committee chairman, ex-Montana Gov. Marc Racicot — who said he won't quit a lobbying job to avoid any appearance of using his party position to help clients. Those clients include Enron.

"There's been an ample history on both the Democrat and Republican side of chairmen being involved in either lobbying or having outside sources of income," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.

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