The foundations of democracy are wavering under the pressure of the United States General Accounting Office’s lawsuit against Vice President Dick Cheney.

As acting Comptroller General, and vital part of the legislative branch, David Walker is obliged to assist Congress in executing its responsibilities to investigate and legislate.

Walker spoke at NIU in September. He spoke to business students about the government’s need to change its auditing system.

Vice President Cheney is the chair of the National Energy Policy Development Group. This group is used to develop the president’s energy strategy.

“It’s [the NEPDG] a brand new office, it was formed when the president took office,” said Jeff Nelligan, the managing director of Public Affairs for the GAO.

For decades, the GAO has kept the watchful eye of democracy on various aspects of the executive branch and its activities.

In a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief, the GAO had this to say:

“At times there have been disputes between the executive branch, including the White House, and GAO about the scope of a particular request. However, until the instant dispute, accommodations and compromises have generally been reached, and the GAO has never been forced to file suit to obtain access to records.”

The GAO began its requests for the records in question at a request from representatives John Dingell, D-Mich., and Henry Waxman, D-Calif., two ranking minority members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

In an attempt to fulfill its obligations to the checks and balances system of governing, the GAO has requested information about how the NEPDG has used public funds and questions the legality of the groups activities.

“It’s been going on for about 18 months,” Nelligan said.

In the formal complaint, Walker and his constituents request that the NEPDG turn over information about who was at the NEPDG meetings and the costs incurred by the vice president and the NEPDG staff on NEPDG matters.

According to the United States General Accounting Office, the dispute has risen because Cheney has taken the stance that the information cannot be released to the GAO because it is sensitive to the White House and the security of government communications between the vice president and the president.

Furthermore, Cheney and his representatives contend that the GAO does not have the authority to examine the activities of NEPDG, only its financial transactions.

The issue is monumental because if the GAO is allowed to get the records and reports it requests, the pandora’s box of confidentiality will be opened fully.

The White House and Vice President Cheney contend that the records that the GAO requests are confidential and the release of the records would result in a disruption in the executive system.

For more information on this issue go to www.gao.gov.