I have little doubt this will be intensely fought and I have little more doubt who will oppose it. This is a basic, reasonable idea for the persons given so much power to be accountable to Congress.

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) on Wednesday called for President Obama's "czars," or appointed high-level advisers, to testify before Congress about their "authority and responsibilities" in the executive branch.

The president's "czars" have become a point of controversy among his opponents because they do not have to be confirmed by the Senate as cabinet-level officials do.

McHenry wrote to committee chairman Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) and ranking member Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) asking the appointed officials to testify.

"If the czars have high-level, decision-making authority as their titles would indicate, then it is my concern that their appointment without Senate approval represents a circumvention of our Constitutionally-mandated confirmation process," McHenry, who is a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said in his letter.

Czars were in the spotlight again after "green jobs" czar Van Jones' resigned this weekend. It was revealed that Jones made harsh comments about Republicans and signed a "truther" petition alleging that the government played a role in the 9/11 attacks.

"His ability to slip into a position of power without due Congressional diligence only further underscores the necessity for a confirmation process," the third-term Republican said of Jones.

No kidding. A communist and racist radical winds up a Czar without any approval, testimony, or even a statute based description of his powers and limitations.

The Czars should testify

Originally Posted by MtnGoat

I have little doubt this will be intensely fought and I have little more doubt who will oppose it. This is a basic, reasonable idea for the persons given so much power to be accountable to Congress.



No kidding. A communist and racist radical winds up a Czar without any approval, testimony, or even a statute based description of his powers and limitations.

The Czars should testify

In that case, I would hope that Czar Karl Rove would adso be summoned for, e.g., his role in dismissing state attorneys on political grounds.

A nutter on that link responded:

A takeover of the U.S. government will be attempted by the Obama administration at some point.

Yep, I think you missed it. January 20, he took over the US government as the executive in charge, we call him the President.

Originally Posted by MtnGoat

I have little doubt this will be intensely fought and I have little more doubt who will oppose it. This is a basic, reasonable idea for the persons given so much power to be accountable to Congress.



No kidding. A communist and racist radical winds up a Czar without any approval, testimony, or even a statute based description of his powers and limitations.

The Czars should testify

I knew the Jones Cabal would spark some sort of thinking on PBO&Co. Hill.

I think it's perfectly logical to require the czars to testify before congress on their progress. Of course, I don't want to see congress start running things.

Originally Posted by martin richards

In that case, I would hope that Czar Karl Rove would adso be summoned for, e.g., his role in dismissing state attorneys on political grounds.

In that case, Czar Hillary Clinton should also be summoned for her role in firing the travel office so her friends could get the job. Or don't you remember that?

Originally Posted by mikefast

In that case, Czar Hillary Clinton should also be summoned for her role in firing the travel office so her friends could get the job. Or don't you remember that?

No, but you'll no doubt post a link. In any case, I thought Congress already had the right to summon a Secretary of State.

Originally Posted by martin richards

No, but you'll no doubt post a link. In any case, I thought Congress already had the right to summon a Secretary of State.

Hint: She did it when her husband was President, not while she was Secretary of State.

Originally Posted by martin richards

In that case, I would hope that Czar Karl Rove would adso be summoned for, e.g., his role in dismissing state attorneys on political grounds.

Um, he never held the title 'czar'... but don't let reality get in the way of trying to derail a thread...