Dick Cheney

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney is standing by his refusal to hand over records of an energy task force to congressional investigators looking into the collapse of Enron, the bankrupt energy-trading giant.

The White House has admitted that Enron officials met with the Cheney-led task force last year while it was formulating the Bush administration energy plan.

Vice President Cheney said on Sunday that the request for the files is "unprecedented," and handing them over would compromise the ability of the White House to solicit confidential advice. Mr. Cheney also said Enron got no special deals.

The vice president predicted the matter will wind up in court. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle calls the Cheney remarks unfortunate. He says the American people have the right to know the facts about Enron ties to the Bush administration.

Tom Daschle

He urged the White House to be forthcoming and says he believes the General Accounting Office is on solid legal ground asking for the records.

A New York Times/CBS News poll shows most Americans believe the Bush administration may be hiding information about its dealings with Enron.

No Bush administration official has been accused of any wrongdoing.

Some information for this report provided by AP.

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