Do you agree that Cheney's office is not part of the executive branch of the U.S. government?

Question

By Justin Rood
ABC News

Thursday 21 June 2007

Vice President Dick Cheney has asserted his office is not a part of the executive branch of the U.S. government, and therefore not bound by a presidential order governing the protection of classified information by government agencies, according to a new letter from Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., to Cheney.

Bill Leonard, head of the government's Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO), told Waxman's staff that Cheney's office has refused to provide his staff with details regarding classified documents or submit to a routine inspection as required by presidential order, according to Waxman.

In pointed letters released today by Waxman, ISOO's Leonard twice questioned Cheney's office on its assertion it was exempt from the rules. He received no reply, but the vice president later tried to get rid of Leonard's office entirely, according to Waxman.

Answer 1

I suppose I could see that argument, though it is fairly far-fetched. But he is taking a very big chance then. If he isn't part of the executive branch then he is part of the legislative branch (as best as I can tell his only real responsibility is to break ties in the Senate).

If he chooses to argue that he isn't part of the executive then that would place him under the jurisdiction of the Congress (most likely the Senate) and the Senate isn't exactly fond of him right now; he could come to regret this argument. But I repeat that really don't consider it strong enough to be a credible argument.

Even more important to the discussion, why does he have a problem providing said information? More than likely it will get to the ISOO either through being forced through the executive order or when Congress forces it in an attempt to screw Cheney over further. Which makes this look more like a delay tactic; and the only reason he would need a delay is to find a way to destroy the information completely before the ISOO can get to it.

I would guess this will go to court (probably the Supreme Court) and that Cheney will lose this; but will have attained enough time to destroy most of the "problem" he is trying to cover up.

Answer 2

Well, it's true that the office's only Constitutionally-defined responsibility is the legislative role as President of the Senate. However, as a practical matter, the Vice President is generally assigned duties by the Chief Executive (the President), and takes part in the work of the administration, that is, the work of the Executive Branch. So it is difficult to make a case that the VP is not part of the Executive Branch, although it's possible that one could make a technical case for that position, relying on what the Constitution says (and doesn't say).

Answer 3

There can be an argument for Cheney's office being part of the Senate. After all, he presides over the Senate and casts the tie breaking vote when needed.

However, he is clearly part of the Executive branch; since he is the second in command. When he visits foreign dignitaries, he goes as the Vice-President, not as a member of the Senate.

Answer 4

HAAA!!!!!

The holder of the Office of the Vice President is most definitely in the Executive Branch. If not, there are several Presidents that shouldn't have succeeded to the presidency. With the exception of the Speaker & President Pro-Tempore, all of the successors to the presidency are in the Executive Branch (State Dept, Treasury, Defense, etc.)

The Vice President, as per the Constitution, MUST meet the same requirements as the President (U.S. citizen, 35 years of age, 14 years as a resident.)

Answer 5

Wow, that's interesting because Cheney refused to provide information to GAO about his energy task force meetings using the grounds of executive privilege. I don't think he can be part of not only the executive branch but the Office of the President in 2001 while being VP and not in 2007 while being VP. The details in his first claim would be in the court case Walker v. Cheney.

Answer 6

Hard one to answer his primary role is President of the Senate which is the legislative branch so I would have to say his office is not part of the executive branch
his role as VP is to replace the president in case of an emergency. However I think Waxman is on a which hunt sad political hacking instead of doing the job he was elected to do

Answer 7

The liberals are going to start turning on their AIPAC owners any time! Only to save their own butts of course, but nevertheless Cheney is getting impeached. There is no way the liberals can look the other way any longer!

This is shameful. America is taking a severe beating from its own government and people are too cowardly to do anything to stop it.

Answer 8

Sorry it says the Vice President is part of the executive branch in the constitution. I believe it is under article two.
So no I do not agree.

Answer 9

BS- the vp is part of the executive branch. cheney cannot over turn 200 years of history and precedent.

Answer 10

He is a government unto himself. Not bound by law,custom or the constitution. However, lets be generous, having his head stuck up his a*s his vision is obscured by having to look through his belly button.