GAO Asserts Authority to Investigate the Cheney Energy Task Force

Representatives John D. Dingell and Henry Waxman, Ranking Members of the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Government Reform respectively, today expressed support for the efforts of the General Accounting Office (GAO) to review the activities of the National Energy Policy Development Group (the Cheney Energy Task Force). In its letter of June 22, 2001, to the White House, the GAO firmly reiterated its authority to investigate the Task Force and stated that it will take whatever steps necessary to proceed.

According to the letter, "GAO has broad authority ... to conduct the review and obtain the information requested." The letter responds to a June 7, 2001, letter from the Vice President’s attorney that claimed that GAO lacks the necessary authority to review the Task Force activities. The GAO response cites several past instances of GAO reviews of White House task forces, such as the Presidential Task Force on Health Care Reform.

"It is past time for the American people to find out what went on in Cheney’s Energy Task Force," Rep. Dingell said. "What are they hiding?"

"GAO has asserted its clear authority to scrutinize the Cheney Energy Task Force. There is absolutely no question that GAO has the authority to conduct this investigation," said Rep. Waxman. "The Vice President should stop stonewalling and start cooperating with GAO’s investigation. Congress is entitled to know the identity of the special interests that met with the Cheney Energy Task Force."

In the June 22 letter to the Office of the Vice President, GAO warned the White House that the Comptroller General is "prepared to issue a demand letter...if they do not receive timely access to the information." Under the law, an agency head has 20 days to respond to a demand letter. If the agency fails to respond, the Comptroller General may bring a civil action to compel the agency to respond.

On April 19, 2001, Congressmen Dingell and Waxman launched joint requests concerning the Energy Task Force, its members and proceedings to both the Vice President and the GAO. To date, the Office of the Vice President has failed to respond adequately to the Congressmen’s inquiries and has been combative with the GAO.

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[Editor’s Note] Interested reporters can obtain the latest correspondence between the Vice President’s Office and GAO on the Committee on Energy and Commerce Democratic Web Site at  www.house.gov/EnergyTaskForce/energytaskforce.shtml

or at the Committee on Government Reform Democratic Web Site at http://www.house.gov/energycommerce/reform/min/energy.html