Richard Cheney

Richard Cheney
Karen Ballard, White House. · Public domain · source
Name	Richard B. Cheney
Birth date	March 30, 1941
Birth place	Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Occupation	Politician, executive
Years active	1969–present
Party	Republican Party
Spouse	Lynne Cheney
Children	2 (including Liz Cheney)

Richard Cheney Richard B. Cheney (born March 30, 1941) is an American politician and executive who served as the 46th Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He held senior positions in the United States House of Representatives, the Ford administration, and the George W. Bush administration, and was a chief executive at Halliburton. Cheney's career spans influential roles in legislative leadership, executive branch national security, and the private energy sector, generating sustained public attention and debate.

Early life and education

Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised in Casper, Wyoming after his family moved during his childhood. He attended Chadron State College for a short period before transferring to University of Wyoming, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1962 and a Master of Science in 1966. During this era he became involved with Wyoming politics and connected with figures associated with the Republican Party, participating in local campaigns and staff positions that linked him to national policymakers.

Early political and business career

Cheney began his federal career on the staff of Congressman William A. Steiger and later served on the staff of Congressman Donald Rumsfeld. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Wyoming in 1978 and served multiple terms, eventually becoming House Minority Whip and then House Minority Leader. In Congress he worked on legislation affecting Energy policy and Veterans' affairs, collaborated with members of both party leaderships such as Tip O'Neill and Bob Michel, and played roles in debates over Watergate-era reforms and late-20th-century budget negotiations. Cheney's legislative tenure positioned him as a prominent figure within the Republican Study Committee and allied him with conservative leaders including Newt Gingrich and Jack Kemp.

Secretary of Defense and private sector years

In 1989 Cheney was appointed United States Secretary of Defense by President George H. W. Bush, overseeing the Department of Defense during the end of the Cold War and the conduct of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War. His Pentagon leadership interfaced with commanders such as Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf and with international partners in NATO. After leaving the Defense Department in 1993, Cheney entered the private sector as CEO of Halliburton Company, where he navigated corporate governance, energy contracting, and relationships with OPEC-region interests and U.S. administrations. His Halliburton tenure drew scrutiny from members of Congress, advocacy organizations such as Public Citizen, and media outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Vice Presidency (2001–2009)

Selected as running mate to George W. Bush in 2000, Cheney served two terms as Vice President, presiding over the United States Senate and representing the administration in national security matters. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Cheney was a central figure in shaping the administration's response, working with officials including Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Myers, and Paul Wolfowitz on policy decisions that led to the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. He advocated for enhanced intelligence authorities, engaged with the National Security Council, and was a pivotal actor in debates over USA PATRIOT Act provisions and the Department of Defense posture. Cheney's vice presidency was marked by influence on energy policy, liaison with Pentagon leadership, and frequent interactions with foreign leaders such as those from United Kingdom and Israel; controversies included discussions of enhanced interrogation techniques and warrantless surveillance programs reported by outlets like CBS News and The New York Times.

Post-vice presidency activities and controversies

After 2009, Cheney remained active in political commentary, writing, and public appearances, including the publication of memoirs and op-eds in periodicals such as The Wall Street Journal and participation in conservative forums like The Heritage Foundation events. He testified before congressional committees, engaged in debates over Iran policy and terrorism strategy, and supported candidates including Mitt Romney and others in the Republican primary landscape. Controversies following his vice presidency involved public disputes over the legacy of the Iraq conflict, Freedom of Information disputes with entities such as ACLU, and continued media coverage by outlets including Fox News and CNN. Cheney also faced personal and legal scrutiny related to his Halliburton ties during the Iraq reconstruction era and to the role of contractors like KBR in postwar contracting.

Personal life and legacy

Cheney married Lynne Cheney in 1964; they have two children, including Liz Cheney, who served as a United States Representative from Wyoming and became a prominent figure in debates over party direction. Cheney has been treated for health issues including multiple myocardial infarction events and underwent a heart transplant evaluation; his medical history has been documented in biographies and news profiles by institutions such as Mayo Clinic-related reporting. His legacy remains contested: defenders cite decisiveness in national security and leadership during crises alongside partners like George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, while critics highlight accountability questions related to the Iraq War, civil liberties debates, and private-sector relationships. Historians and commentators in outlets such as Foreign Affairs, The Atlantic, and academic journals continue to assess his influence on late-20th and early-21st-century American policy.

Category:1941 births Category:Living people Category:Vice Presidents of the United States