OnConditionofAnonymity

Cheney: I Don't Need Congress' Approval for Funding.

In insider in the Office of the Vice President, speaking ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY, has disclosed that Vice President Cheney believes he can take money directly from the U.S. Treasury without Congressional authorization, approval, or oversight. Recently, bills have been introduced to deny $8.4 million in funding for the Office of the Vice President until Cheney's office turns over documents Congress has subpoened. Cheney has refused to give any information to Congress or to agents of the branch tasked by Executive Order with tracking documents.

"Congress is mistaken in believing it can stop this office's legitimate business by denying funding," the insider reported Cheney saying. "Congress can pass spending authorizations for the Executive Branch, but not for my office, because we're not part of the Executive," Cheney continued. According to the insider, Cheney's most breath-taking assertion came when he said, "Because the Constitution makes no mention of Congress needing to authorize expenses by the Office of the Vice President which is not part of the Executive, the Office can legally and legitimately draw funds directly from the U.S. Treasury."

According to the insider, Cheney has authorized the Treasury to directly deposit $8.4 million into the Vice Presidential account. Cheney's authorization was stamped by him with his own form of the Top Secret designation, SCI. Stamping the authorization Top Secret assured that the press and Congress would not learn of his withdrawal.