Justice Department seeks delay on Cheney papers release
By The Associated Press
10.22.02
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department yesterday sought to delay a court order requiring the Bush administration to turn over documents from Vice President Dick Cheney's energy task force by Election Day.
Before any disclosure, a federal appeals court should be allowed to sort out serious constitutional issues surrounding a lawsuit against the Cheney task force, the department told U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan in a 10-page court filing.
On Oct. 17, Sullivan ordered the Cheney task force to surrender some of its documents by Nov. 5.
Implementing the court order before the appeals court can decide the issues will cause irreversible harm, the department argued.
Two private groups, the Sierra Club and Judicial Watch, are suing the Cheney task force in an attempt to document influence by lobbyists and corporate executives in formulating the Cheney group's pro-industry energy policy.