Czar Report
September 4, 2008 - Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images North America
“Not all Czars are Created Equally” -- says Tennessee Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn
With growing concern mounting on Capitol Hill regarding the controversial appointments of the many “advisers” to the president, commonly referred to as “czars,” some Congressional Republicans have begun to take steps to bring some accountability to this rapidly expanding arm of the federal government. With the count now somewhere between 32 and 40, there is widespread support, even among many Democrats, to define the roles of these appointees.
It should be noted that President Obama is not the first Chief Executive to call upon czars. We have had a drug czar since the Reagan Administration and President Bush employed at least 13. That being said, President Obama has taken this whole czar thing to a whole new level. In fact, three of his czars are responsible for 1.5 trillion dollars of federal spending.
The issue here really boils down to the Separation of Powers and the role of the respective branches of government in taking policy and moving it to action. Many of these czars have been given powers and responsibility that generally would warrant “advise and consent” from the Senate under Article 2. Section 2 of the US Constitution. This is the Constitutional protection that requires such positions to pass through the vetting process on the floor of the Senate. Many on Capitol Hill have begun to move toward measures that would push the White House to bring these czars before the Senate or to disclose their true responsibilities and powers.
One of the measures that is gaining support is being championed by Tennessee Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, who has introduced a bill that would require more transparency from the White House regarding these appointments.
Blackburn Introduces Czar Resolution Washington, Sep 16 - Congressman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) today introduced H.Con.Res. 185, a Sense of Congress Resolution that would request the President to certify the qualifications and responsibiites of certain special advisors known as “czars”. The resolution has 93 original cosponsors. ”All Presidents have a right to staff their administration as they see fit within the confines of the Constitution,” Blackburn said. “Where I have concerns is when a President shifts duties away from officials who are subject to Congressional oversight to those on his personal staff who are not. These aides wield extraordinary influence and the American people have a right to know who they are, why they are qualified for their jobs, what their conflicts of interest might be, and what their job descriptions are. The President has an obligation to disclose this information.” Many “czars” have already disclosed the relevant information and been subject to public scrutiny through the Senate confirmation process. Blackburn believes that all “czars” should be subject to equal disclosure and is calling on the President to disclose the same detailed information for these special advisors as he would for a nominee seeking Senate confirmation. “I was reading the questionnaire that the Senate Armed Services Committee requires all nominees under its jurisdiction to fill out. It is detailed, intrusive, public, and entirely appropriate for someone who takes on the public’s trust. It would be a tremendous model for the President to use in complying with this resolution. If czars are going to act with the authority of cabinet secretaries, the public should know as much about them.”
Tennessean Calls For Certification Of Qualifications And Duties
Darrell Issa, a Republican Congressman from California and a ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has joined forces with another member Lamar Smith to ask the President a list of questions regarding these appointments. The two have sent a letter to the White House asking for information on the background, responsibilities, and duties of each of these individuals.
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North Carolina Congressman Patrick McHenry was among the first to address this growing issue. He had this to say on Fox News .
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The real issue is accountability here. Georgia Congressman, Jack Kingston had this to say.
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I just watched that press conference and I wish Blackburn wasnt part of this movement. She comes across like a babbling fool when she is in front of the camera. We saw that during the presidential election. I will say that she is better than Baucus. his PC was excruciating.
Marsha Blackburn is hardly a liability, but she is only one of the cosponsors of this bill. She was one of the face people today but she has also been there all along. She did the whole talkshow circuit this weekend preparing for this
Full exposure is the only answer. Bush may have had 13 but he would have told you their names and what they did. We cannot even agree on how many of them there are. There could be 50 for all we know. Im sure there are more socialists, radicals, and leftists. What are we going to do when Sunstein regulates the dairy industry and makes milk cost as much as alcohol – which will by then be as hard to find and cost as much as cocaine?
I have to say that while I am optimistic because Republicans are finally waking up to this issue, I genuinely have no hope that this bill will see the light of day. It will die in committee and never see the floor. I would encourage all of you to solicit your congressmen and encourage them to support this bill.