Posted on 09/17/2009 8:55:12 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Reporting from Washington - President Obama's appointment of "czars," or policy coordinators, is drawing new fire from lawmakers in both parties.
The most prominent complaint is that Obama, by using his own authority to name people to these policy jobs, is circumventing the role of the Senate in considering and confirming important nominations to the president's administration.
In a letter to the president this week, Sen. Susan Collins (R- Maine) and five other Republican lawmakers criticized the administration for encroaching on Congress' authority in establishing what it said were too many far-reaching czars.
Collins identified 18 positions created by Obama that "may be undermining the constitutional oversight responsibilities of Congress."
The letter asks Obama to respond with information about each position, including the administration's vetting process and whether the officials will be available to appear before Congress.
Among the czars are Nancy-Ann DeParle, who coordinates healthcare issues within the White House; Carol Browner, who coordinates energy and environmental issues within the White House; Adolfo Carrion Jr., who works on urban affairs; and Lynn Rosenthal, who works on domestic violence and sexual assault issues.
Democrats also have questioned the use of czars. On Tuesday, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) raised similar concerns in a letter to Obama. Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), in his own letter this year, noted that czars in past administrations had "rarely" testified before congressional committees "and often shield the information and decision-making process behind the assertion of executive privilege."
White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said Republicans have mislabeled key agency personnel as czars.
"The term 'czar' is largely a media creation to make jobs that have existed under multiple administrations sound more exciting," Vietor said. "Every president since Nixon has hired smart and qualified people to coordinate between agencies and the White House."
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(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Turning up the thermostat seems to be getting a little reaction.
Too late, you stupid American.
Susan Collins has taken a stand of sorts against the left? MY God, that WAS Porky flying over the barn last night.
Don’t grumble , take Zero to court! A judge could not deny standing to Senators. (Then after he loses impeach him!)
The power is shifting back. Congress is finally realizing that the Executive Branch is trying to take away their power. Congress is equally power hungry.
A clash of the titans. And the people will win.
Sen. Susan Collins (R- Maine) WOW!
This is part of the overturning of our Constitutional system of checks and balances. Rule by Czar is the game. Unlimited, unaccountable power is the aim. All of you should know by now where that leads.
Each and every one of these Czars should be tried, convicted and hung for the treason of which they are incredibly guilty.
I would think someone in the Congress would be interested since their jobs could be in jeporady by Obama.
When the LA Times prints an article like this, you know the tide is turning.
I was wondering what that was. lol
Most of these czars have been in place for months. That congress is just now noticing either points to political opportunism (we just now noticed that a lot of the country doesn’t like us, so we’re going to take action), or incompetence. I dunno, it’s a real toss-up.
BO's politburo would never approve of that.
YOU LIE!
Doesn’t mean it shouldn’t happen.
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