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Statements
and Speeches
Statement
on the Cheney Energy Task Force
December
9, 2002
By
Henry A. Waxman
The decision
is another Bush v. Gore. It is a convoluted decision by a Republican
judge that gives Bush and Cheney near total immunity from scrutiny.
In Bush v. Gore, five Republican justices gave the election to George
Bush and Dick Cheney. Today, another Republican judge has decided
that, once in office, Bush and Cheney can operate in complete secrecy
with no oversight by Congress.
The only good
news is that this decision is not the final word. It is inconceivable
that the appellate court will uphold the embarrassing reasoning
used by the district judge.
Under President
Bush and Vice President Cheney, the Administration has developed
plans to keep secret files on the activities of all Americans. But
at the same time, the Administration wants to keep everything it
does from the public. In fact, under todays court ruling,
Americans cant even learn the identity of the energy lobbyists
who asked for special favors in the White House energy plan.
This is an ominous
decision that defies fundamental and traditional American values
of open government.
BACKGROUND
ON THE CHENEY ENERGY TASK FORCE » ![](/peth04/20041028205300im_/http://www.henrywaxman.house.gov/images/img_icon_gov_reform.gif)
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