Asked to explain the Bush Administration’s skyrocketing cost of war in Iraq during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Vice President Cheney said, 

“…this is not a situation where, you know, it's only a matter of us writing a check to solve the problem. Iraq sits on top of 10 percent of the world's oil reserves, very significant reserves, second only to Saudi Arabia. The fact is there are significant resources here to work with, and the notion that we're going to bear the burden all by ourselves from a financial standpoint I don't think is valid.” VP Cheney, NBC, 9/14/03
 

 Schakowsky said, “How can the American people trust the Bush Administration with their money?  The American people were told by the White House that the war would cost $50 to $60 billion.  Now, with the latest request of $87 billion, the financial burden on the American people is already $160 billion.  Congress should not hand over a blank check to President Bush until our constituents have a clear plan as how the money was spent and will be spent.”