Posted on 06/22/2011 7:37:13 PM PDT by bronxville
Four Republican senators seek to cut off money to czars in the Obama administration and force current and future czars to undergo a Senate confirmation.
The senators, David Vitter of Louisiana, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Dean Heller of Nevada and Chuck Grassley of Iowa, have introduced the amendment in the Nominations Process Reform Bill.
Heller said the amendment, which defines czar as the “head of any task force, council, policy office or similar office established by the president that has not been confirmed by the U.S. Senate,” excluding the National Security Advisor, could return some accountability to the current administration’s nomination process.
“The nomination process was put in place so individuals seeking high-level positions in government are held accountable,” Heller said. “Czars are given a great amount of authority and control within the federal government without being nominated or vetted. The American public deserves to know who the President is appointing within his administration.”
In a statement, Vitter said he was “very concerned about that undefined authority of what are essentially political advisory positions, especially when the decisions they make can have profound effect on our lives.”
The amendment mirrors recent legislation by Lousiana Republican Rep. Steve Scalise, who introduced efforts targeting the post of “climate czar” in 2011 by halting the position’s funding. Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/06/22/republican-senators-seek-to-cut-funding-to-czars/#ixzz1Q3trdXSQ
How long have these particular senators been in office?
Grassley - 1997
Vitter - 2005
Heller - 2011 but in House from 2007
Paul - 2011
I think that they were set up to bypass the cabinet executives, and report directly to Hussein.
But does it explain why two also didn’t? As with everything in Washington, it is political - not what is best for America.
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