CRAPO, COLLEAGUES QUESTION PROLIFERATION OF CZARS
Congressional Desk
October 12, 2009
Letter asks President to stop such appointments
Washington, DC – Has the White House employed too many special-issue advisers, known as "czars," who are eluding public scrutiny and Congressional oversight? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and a number of his Senate colleagues believe so, and have highlighted their concerns in a letter to the President. "These positions raise serious issues of accountability, transparency, and oversight," wrote Crapo and Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee), Robert Bennett (R-Utah), Kit Bond (R-Missouri), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Pat Roberts (R-Kansas).
The six Senators took pains in the letter to note that not every position identified as a "czar" is problematic; indeed, such positions have been employed numerous times by previous presidents. The distinction, they note, is that President Obama has employed far more than the norm in establishing as many as 30 "czar" advisory positions. Crapo and his colleagues reminded the President of the Senate´s "advice and consent" powers under the U.S. Constitution in confirming Presidential appointments and that most of Obama´s "czars" may duplicate or dilute the powers of Cabinet secretaries and other regularly-approved appointees. In addition, because these "czars" are not directly accountable to the public and were not confirmed or cleared through congressional hearings or process, considerable segments of federal policies could be affected and directed by individuals who need not answer to the public´s interest.
"With these concerns in mind, we have identified at least 18 ´czar´ positions created by your Administration whose reported responsibilities may be undermining the constitutional oversight responsibilities of Congress of express statutory assignments of responsibility to other Executive branch officials," the Senators wrote. "With regard to each of these positions, we ask that you explain the specific authorities and responsibilities of the position; including any limitations you have placed on the position to ensure that it does not encroach on the legitimate statutory responsibilities of other Executive branch officials; the process by which the Administration examines the character and qualifications of the individuals appointed by the President to fill the position; and whether the individual occupying the position will agree to any reasonable request to appear before, or provide information to, Congress."
The group requested the White House not appoint any additional "czars" or fill similar vacant positions until it consults with appropriate Congressional committees. It also noted the response and reforms of the Departments of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency following Hurricane Katrina are evidence transparent policy is better served by the use of fewer "czars."
Crapo noted the public´s concerns with the overuse of Administration "czars" is one shared by many Idahoans. "The many ´czars´ in the White House has been the focus of many letters and comments I receive from Idahoans," Crapo noted. "They see this as an unchecked expansion in government and policy-making out of the public eye. We need an open discussion about this process and that is what my colleagues and I have requested from the White House."
Washington, DC – Has the White House employed too many special-issue advisers, known as "czars," who are eluding public scrutiny and Congressional oversight? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and a number of his Senate colleagues believe so, and have highlighted their concerns in a letter to the President. "These positions raise serious issues of accountability, transparency, and oversight," wrote Crapo and Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee), Robert Bennett (R-Utah), Kit Bond (R-Missouri), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Pat Roberts (R-Kansas).
The six Senators took pains in the letter to note that not every position identified as a "czar" is problematic; indeed, such positions have been employed numerous times by previous presidents. The distinction, they note, is that President Obama has employed far more than the norm in establishing as many as 30 "czar" advisory positions. Crapo and his colleagues reminded the President of the Senate´s "advice and consent" powers under the U.S. Constitution in confirming Presidential appointments and that most of Obama´s "czars" may duplicate or dilute the powers of Cabinet secretaries and other regularly-approved appointees. In addition, because these "czars" are not directly accountable to the public and were not confirmed or cleared through congressional hearings or process, considerable segments of federal policies could be affected and directed by individuals who need not answer to the public´s interest.
"With these concerns in mind, we have identified at least 18 ´czar´ positions created by your Administration whose reported responsibilities may be undermining the constitutional oversight responsibilities of Congress of express statutory assignments of responsibility to other Executive branch officials," the Senators wrote. "With regard to each of these positions, we ask that you explain the specific authorities and responsibilities of the position; including any limitations you have placed on the position to ensure that it does not encroach on the legitimate statutory responsibilities of other Executive branch officials; the process by which the Administration examines the character and qualifications of the individuals appointed by the President to fill the position; and whether the individual occupying the position will agree to any reasonable request to appear before, or provide information to, Congress."
The group requested the White House not appoint any additional "czars" or fill similar vacant positions until it consults with appropriate Congressional committees. It also noted the response and reforms of the Departments of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency following Hurricane Katrina are evidence transparent policy is better served by the use of fewer "czars."
Crapo noted the public´s concerns with the overuse of Administration "czars" is one shared by many Idahoans. "The many ´czars´ in the White House has been the focus of many letters and comments I receive from Idahoans," Crapo noted. "They see this as an unchecked expansion in government and policy-making out of the public eye. We need an open discussion about this process and that is what my colleagues and I have requested from the White House."
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