Senate Panel Cuts Off Funding For Cheney Office

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

A Senate appropriations panel chaired by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., refused to fund $4.8 million in the vice president’s budget until Cheney’s office complies with parts of an executive order governing its handling of classified information.

At issue is a requirement that executive branch offices provide data on how much material they classify and declassify. That information is to be provided to the Information Security Oversight Office at The National Archives.

Cheney’s office, with backing from the White House, argues that the offices of the president and vice president are exempt from the order because they are not executive branch ”agencies.”

The funding cut came as the appropriations panel approved 5-4 along party lines a measure funding White House operations, the Treasury Department and many smaller agencies.


Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/10/senate-panel-cuts-off-funds-for-cheneys-office

[CottonBear]

1. That's the way to play hardball!

:woohoo:

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Woohoo, indeed!

[rocktivity]

34. Right you are! CUE THE VONAGE THEME!!!

And you know what? I won't even care if it fails, because at least they will have TRIED.

:woohoo:
rocknation

[SemperEadem]

106. precisely

it's on the record and that's what needed is a clear, unalterable record of what went down.

[anotherCTliberal]

44. YESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[wordpix]

113. woohoo, yay and applause! But why did you fund *'s office?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. 'bout time. Et tu, Darth.

gho phuk thyneself.

[AndyA]

3. Good for them. It's about time Congress stopped trying to placate these

criminals. Fight fire with fire.

[The Blue Flower]

4. EXCCCCELLLLENNNT!!!!!!

[AllyCat]

5. He can use his Halliburton money to pay for it then.

It'll be pocket change for 'ole Darth

[1monster]

49. yah, but these guys loathe, hate, despise, detest, and abominate, even the IDEA of

paying for anything out (of the ill-gotten contents)of their own pockets.

[aquart]

62. Yes, indeed they do.

[Squatch]

87. That's something we comptrollers like to call "MISAPPROPRIATION"

[AllyCat]

101. Actually, I was talking about his perwsonal profits from this group alone

But yeah, he's probably loathe to dip into his little savings account to pay for something that rightfully should be paid out of the hard-earned money from the American taxpayer (ugh...)

[SemperEadem]

107. and that will be akin to setting up a parallel government

isn't there something int he constitution that forbids that?

[partylessinOhio]

6. Way to go! Tie Darth up every which way possible.

Get ready for the fine china and silverware ...

[formercia]

7. Let's see if Darth reaches into his 'black bag' for some cash

and have someone catch him at it.

[durtee librul]

9. I think Dickeee should be ready for a new

microwave right about now...doncha think?

I bet he is thinking "how dare they question me?" Nah, it's probably more like, F**k yourself, I'll just ignore you until you go away. Or he'll use the general funds and call it a special executive order........

[LiberalFighter]

39. Hopefully, funding for the President is limited...

so bushwad would throw a fit if Darth Vader tries to make a withdrawal.

[Dervill Crow]

10. So will Cheney now get his budget from Halliburton or the RNC? nt

[Gregorian]

12. He'll just look behind the cushions of the couch in the Oval office.

That kind of money is Cheney chump change. The cushions should keep him going for years. Bandar is known to drop a diamond or two now and then. Haha.

Yay! More of this kind of thing!

[WestMichRad]

71. Chump change, indeed!

They'll probably be able to easily shake this much loose change out of the $118 billion appropriated for the surge....

But Yeah! Love it, hope the congresscritters stick to their guns on this!

[wordpix]

114. he already does---it's all one big clusterf$$ck with Dick-tater

[jillan]

11. Yeah - and the next breaking news story was that Chertoff

is worrying we may get attacked over the summer.

Funny how that works.

Was it about Dick? Or the debate on Iraq?

One day we will really have a terrorist threat, and nobody will listen.

[orleans]

88. it was about david vitter n/t

[jazzjunkysue]

13. Real link here: Gotta see it for real to believe it. Tutu's removed!

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/10/america/NA-GEN-US-Democrats-Cheney.php

It's a beautiful thing!

More cowbell!

[BlueCollar]

26. Dear Senator Brownback

Can you please just cite me one example of a "working relationship" with the US Congress involving Vice-President Cheney? Just one....

"This is going to further erode any sort of working relationship back and forth," Brownback said. "This is a patently bad idea."

[SemperEadem]

108. Brownnose is a traitor to the US constitution

an embarassment to this country and a joke to his sex.

[babylonsister]

14. Go-o-o-o, Karma! Rec'd! nt

[quazimojo]

15. Beating Around the Bush

We need to cut the crap, and start hearings on impeachment...

[Hissyspit]

78. Welcome to DU!

:patriot:

:toast:

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. That's my Senator! The Dick will just spend his own money. He doesn't need

no stinkin' Congress!

Way to do Durbin!

[reichstag911]

109. A Dick we can cheer for!

[Nickster]

17. Wow, I'm in shock. The best part, it was from my Senator, Dick Durbin.

[ThatsMyBarack]

32. Dick Durbin's niece....

....is one of my co-workers! :patriot:

[aquart]

63. Say something nice to her tomorrow.

For all of us.

[MsKandice01]

18. Nice!!

That's what I'm talkin about!!

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

19. K & R. It's a start.. nt

[StatGirl]

20. Why fund him at all?

I'm totally in favor of this, of course! But why the "unless"? His budget should be:

1.) VP Salary
2.) Salary for secretary/executive assistant
3.) Rent for a 400 square foot office somewhere within a couple miles of the White House
4.) $100/mo for phone.
5.) Standard office supplies.

(And items 2 through 5 are just a courtesy.)

That's it. His job in the executive branch is to sit and wait for the phone to ring. Maybe attend some weekly briefings so he's not totally out of the loop in the unlikely event that he gets called up.

[jimshoes]

69. 400 sq feet....

Ol' Darth would have to give up the man sized safes for sure. Oh and make him share a bathroom with the other tennants in the building.

[StatGirl]

73. Aw heck, he's the veep

He can have his own toilet and sink. And maybe a little wall around them. :)

[FuzzyDicePHL]

105. Little wall around them...

...as long as one of the wall is made of steel bars!

[The Doctor.]

21. It's about F#$%ing time!!!

He wants to operate independently?

Now's his chance!

He can sell his stock options and pay his people for a while, I'm sure.

[Occulus]

22. THIS is the sort of response I've been wanting to see n/t

[rateyes]

23. I hope that means that they will cut off the lights

to Darth's residence. Don't even pay the fucking electricity bill.

[aquart]

64. So do I. Make him install a solar panel with his own cash.

Of course, he probably has to be hooked up to a recharger at night, so they may make a medical exception.

[Amonester]

80. His "have-more-than-the-have's" will be happy to buy him one...

Provided he will sign them a million-fold bid-less contract with the taxpayers' National Debt in return.

No surprise here. It's the obscene criminal's modus-operandi. :mad:

[calimary]

84. Hey, he can always hit up his pal, scooter. That libby defense fund

that just reimbursed him for the fine - there's still several million left over.

[me b zola]

94. Dick's buddies @ enron certainly didn't give a rat's behind while doing their rolling blackouts

If he asks for a medical exception we should remind evil dick about that.

[nc_gadfly]

24. ha. . .I can't wait to hear jim ward tomorrow

(cue star wars music)

(dick vader breathing)

"so the imperial senate has decided to refuse funding my empire...truly they underestimate the power of the dark side...I will dissolve the imperial senate, and if you don't like it...you can go fuck yourself with the ice planet hoth"

[Divine Discontent]

25. how is a million/million-five not enough for his office? FIVE MILLION?

what the hell?

how much was this budget the last year of the previous VP who should be our next P? this figure seems ungodly.

www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<--- top '08 items & antib*sh stickers!

[Spiffarino]

27. I thought it was impossible to regrow a spine

Apparently I was wrong...at least about the Appropriations panel.

:D:thumbsup:

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

28. Ha Ha

Dick got dicked by Dick!

Hey Dick, here's an exit strategy for ya: GO PRACTICE YOUR BIOLOGICAL IMPERATIVE ON YOUR OWN DIMPLED ARSE!

[Ecumenist]

57. LOL!!! Absolute wordsmithing, PetrusMonsFormicarum!!

Welcome to DU!! Right Glad to Meetcha!!:hi:

[Miss Chybil]

29. Yes! nt

[superconnected]

30. Bravo to the appropriations panel!

I hope they make dick so mad his heart starts skipping.

[nc_gadfly]

48. he doesn't have a heart....

....he's more machine than man now--twisted and evil

[reichstag911]

110. Better it should stop skipping...

...altogether. ;)

[sonias]

31. Brilliant move

Let him go find where he belongs. I salute you Senator Durbin. You have a backbone!
:applause::applause::applause:

Sonia

[snappyturtle]

33. K&R n/t

[BlueCollar]

35. kick and recommend...n/t

[Patsy Stone]

36. That's good news!

Now let them stop funding the war.

K&R

[OffWithTheirHeads]

37. Contact info on the Appropriations comitee please

I want to call each and everyone who voted for this and give them a wet, juicy, kiss.

[Joanne98]

38. YAY!

[eowyn_of_rohan]

40. YaHOOO!!

Don't stop there -- onward and upward!

Cut off something of bu$h's now :evilgrin:

[Connonym]

41. Yo! Finally some guts

[aquamarina]

42. It's about damn time. eom.

[Dukkha]

43. sweet! More terrorist funding had been cut off!

I feel safer already.

[Edweird]

45. Yeah Baby!

[Aviation Pro]

46. About fucking time....

...now watch the cocksuckers move money from one bucket to the other. Go ahead morons, commit more crimes.

[HDHNTR]

47. Now if only there was a way to frog march him out

in handcuffs, bawling like Jim Baker, now wouldn't that be a scene?

Someone on the inner circle should rat him out. The guy is freak'n DEMONIC! He needs to be dealt with, imprisoned, held to account.

[Vidar]

50. It's a start. Good for Durbin.

[Arugula Latte]

51. SPINE! I likey!

:woohoo:

[liberal N proud]

52. How long before they "reach an agreement" and give him his money?

There will be some midnight deal worked out whereas Dick gets to keep spending obscene amounts of cash and give up nothing.

[David Zephyr]

53. Is this even making a headline with the corporate media crowd?

It's a big bold step by Congress. Let's see if Pelosi lets it come to the floor.

[Ecumenist]

54. HOT DAMN!!! Now, that's what I'm talking about!!

Play crazy and get exactly what you're asking for "cheney boy". :applause: :woohoo: :applause:

I'm just going to sit myself down, get me a bowl O'corn, with extra butta and watch this show upfront and "poisonal-like"!:popcorn:

[rodeodance]

55. Landrieu of Louisiana and Ben Nelson of Nebraska — registered discomfort with Durbin's move,

Such a step, said Republican Sen. Sam Brownback would set a terrible precedent in relations between the executive and legislative branches of government, which have historically let each other set their own budgets.

"This is going to further erode any sort of working relationship back and forth," Brownback said. "This is a patently bad idea."

The House of Representatives last month narrowly rejected a comparable attempt by Democrats to cut off funding for Cheney's office.

On Tuesday, two panel Democrats — moderates Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Ben Nelson of Nebraska — registered discomfort with Durbin's move, though they backed him when Republicans forced a vote.

[Alexander]

66. If "discomfort" is all they show,

Good for them! :-)

[Raksha]

56. Prelude to impeachment...

It will be interesting to see how many new co-sponsors Dennis Kucinch's House Res 333 picks up over the next week or so.

[WileEcoyote]

58. Yes it will

It's decision making time. Kicking Bush around isn't seen as being "unpatriotic" anymore. Except in the most foaming at the mouth sites.

Ed Schultz said something interesting today: "Have Speaker Pelosi discuss articles of Impeachment the day before the summer recess".

Just like a Friday afternoon "bad news dump". A relevant thought. Makes the Idiot In Chief have nervous fits for weeks on end.

[Limelight]

59. Normally the phrase goes differently, but in this case......

***SLAP***

Bitch, where's yo' money!?!

:applause: :rofl: :applause:

[Dangerously Amused]

60. YES! Now please, PLEASE don't back down a la the Iraq war budget.

[derby378]

61. CUE CELEBRATORY MUSIC!!

If you know anything about me by now, you know you're gonna love this music video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukhd9OBnOZI

:headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang:

[NJCher]

96. that was absolutely perfect!

I cannot imagine a better response to spinal regeneration.



Cher

[Sarah Ibarruri]

65. OH MY GOD! I CANNOT BELIEVE IT! I CANNOT! FINALLY THEY DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!

[blondeatlast]

67. Just...

:bounce::bounce::bounce:

[abq e streeter]

68. Backbone?

Dare I say it; dare i believe it? don't stop... You can do it... Stand up to 'em and never lay down again.

[Hissyspit]

83. Welcome to DU!

Albuquerque Springsteen fan?

:patriot:

:toast:

[abq e streeter]

112. Da Boss

Albq, you bet.. An E street die hard since hearing Saint in the City on KUNM in 74, and I knew it right then; this is THE Man...1st show I saw was Chicago Sept. 75, BTR was brand new. Last time was Phoenix 2003... Saw the only time Bruce ever played Albq---solo show in '96 approx. Best one of all was also Chicago, 1978... only other rock star who's just about equal in my eyes as far as combination of loving the music and admiration as a person was Joe Strummer of the Clash. The tears just poured out when he died; only "celebrity" that's ever happened for.

[lonestarnot]

70. FAR FUCKING OUT!

WOOOOOOOOOOOT IT TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

[lovuian]

72. About Freakin TIME

Alleluia Durbin

[Grandrose]

74. My Senator...way to go!!!!

So proud of both my Senators and Durbin is one of the best in the Senate!:applause: :kick:

[whistle]

75. Need to do the same thing with the Bush White House

[emilyg]

76. Yes! Yes!!!!!

[DesEtoiles]

77. now how will he pay for his hookers?

[Drum]

79. And how 'bout the f*&@ing vistors' logs,

and the Energy Commission info from Term 1...if this clown gets any taxpayer $, I wanna know what the hell he's up to!

Naive wish, of course, but I just wanted to gleefully crow and shout.

This Senate news is encouraging!

:thumbsup:

[Zorra]

81. Maybe Exxon will give Cheney the $4.8 milllion?

[madrchsod]

82. that`s why i voted for him!

durbin is the best...ya don`t push around an illinois democrat

[MindMatter]

85. $4.8M? Hell, Halliburton would cough that up

in a heartbeat to keep their boy operating. Maybe that is the answer. If Halliburton is getting the fruits of ownership of the White House, at least they should pay the costs.

[glitch]

93. They HATE paying their own way. This is like cutting them off at the teat.

No one interferes with their graft stream. I bet Cheney is livid. He'll probably have a heart attack and the corporate media will blame those meanie Dems. :evilgrin:

[wordpix]

115. "hate paying their own way." Ain't that the truth?

[PurpleChez]

86. a Dem is actually DOING SOMETHING??? Yea!!!!!!

Durbin Rokks!

[orleans]

89. cheney: i...can't....breathe.....

[zalinda]

90. Now, everyone who has kicked this thread

and think it is a great thing that our dems did.........CALL THEM, EMAIL THEM, FAX THEM, anything, but thank them for the position they took. Because tomorrow, they are going to get TONS of communication from the right in their district, saying how dare they defund part of the white house during a time of war.

CALL THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

zalinda

[deacon]

91. 'bout damn time- finally some guts n/t

[Alexander]

92. See? THIS is why we vote for Democrats.

:bounce: :applause: :yourock:

[me b zola]

95. YES!

:kick:

[NJCher]

97. here's the info you need to contact Senate Appropriations

Members of the committee are listed, along with their contact info at this page:

http://appropriations.senate.gov/members.cfm

I plan on sending about a dozen hard copy letters; I'm not big on the phone and e-mail, while better than nothing, is iffy.

As the poster above says, we have a lot of work to do to let them know they have support.



Cher

[lligrd]

98. See Miracles Do Happen

When we wish loud enough. About time we got in the game.

[Lasher]

99. Hope this grounds Bigot Two

[Zhade]

100. Wow, they actually did something.

Keep it up. IMPEACH. NOW.

[focusfan]

102. I wish we could hurt them another way

besides not giving them as much money.like impeaching them and
throwing them on there ears.

[BenDavid]

103. Maybe this would pass if the Senate

Democrats had 56 members. As long as "crazy Joe" votes with the repubs then this too will be voted down just like the Emanual bill did in the House prior to the 4th....
I do not understand the House Dems and why they would not vote for this. Hell, we all know this will not be in the final bill but at least it would have given the Dems talking points to highlight all of Cheneys words,but NO, it did not even pass the House....The Dems in the House just like the Senate still have the mind set they are the MINORITY....
I do thank you
Ben David

[Rosa Luxemburg]

104. Cheney, 'toodle pip' old boy

pack your bags

[Bethany Rockafella]

111. I haven't been watching cable tv, have this been reported?