Cheney's Office Not 'Within the Executive Branch'

In 2003, President Bush required all executive branch offices to report data to the National Archives on how much information they have classified or declassified. The Vice President's office claims it is exempt from the requirement because it is not an "entity within the executive branch" and refuses to comply.

The Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) at the National Archives is charged with collecting the data and has complained to the Justice Department about the lack of compliance. In response, Cheney's office has suggested the ISOO be abolished. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform wrote Cheney's office an eight page letter asking for an explanation.

Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA), the committee chairman writes, "The Oversight Committee has learned that over the objections of the National Archives, you exempted the Office of the Vice President from the presidential executive order that establishes a uniform, government-wide system for safeguarding classified national security information."

"Your decision to exempt your office from the President's order is problematic because it could place national security secrets at risk. It is also hard to understand given the history of security breaches involving officials in your office."

Rep. Waxman asked for answers to his questions by July 12. The Justice Department has not responded to the National Archives request to resolve the legal dispute.

Vice President Cheney is suspected to have total control over the US government behind closed doors. He is also known for saying "Go fuck yourself" to Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT) on the senate floor in 2004.

UPDATE! 6-24-2007

Now the President claims an exepmtion from the security rules, too. According to the White House, the executive order was intended to apply to all units in the executive branch EXCEPT the offices of Bush and Cheney.