Yet another chess move in the administration's arrogant disregard for subpoenas seeking oversight information. The Democrats will introduce a bill seeking to defund the VP's executive office, which he now claims he is not a part of. Whether the dems are powerlessly flailing away at an administration which has many, many secrets to keep, or can actually force the Bush administration to obey the law, only time will tell. But I do enjoy the congressional branch seeking to chip away from the arrogance and the secrecy of a failed administration.House Democrats, responding to Vice President Dick Cheney's assertion that his office is exempt from certain national security disclosure requirements, said Tuesday they will try to strip some of his funding.
Cheney set off protests from Democrats when he declared that his office was exempt from sections of a presidential order that executive branch offices provide data on how much material they classify and declassify.
Five years ago Cheney claimed executive privilege in refusing to release details about his meetings with oil industry executives to discuss energy policy. "Now when we want to know what he's doing as it relates to America's national security in the lead-up to the war in Iraq and after the fact, the vice president has declared he is a member of the legislative branch." Therefore, Emanuel said, "we will no longer fund the executive branch of his office and he can live off the funding for the Senate presidency." The vice president presides as president of the Senate.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaking Sunday on Fox News Sunday, said Cheney's move was "the height of arrogance." She said it might not be a bad idea that money for Cheney's office be held up until he decides whether or not he's in the executive branch.Buck up Mr. Vice President. If things get tight financially, you can always sell off your Halliburton stock.
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