Cheney is watching

Washington, D.C.

Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief of staff reviews all pending legislation for language that could limit the president’s power, The Boston Globe reported this week. Before the president signs any bill, Cheney’s chief aide, David Addington, reportedly examines it for provisions that could be used to restrict presidential authority. When such provisions are found, the president adds a statement during the signing ceremony, noting that he does not consider himself bound by statutory limits on his constitutional powers. In his five years in office, President Bush has issued more than 750 such signing statements; fewer than 600 were issued by all previous presidents combined. Legal scholars say Cheney is the first vice president in history to routinely review legislation.