The Column

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

McHenry: What's with all these czars?

Patrick McHenry, a Congressman from North Carolina, wants to know if those 44 so-called "czars" in the Obama Administration are really necessary.

McHenry, a Republican, says there's a problem with these officials, who are appointed by the President without going through the Senate confirmation process,and he wants a hearing to find out more.

His comments came after green-jobs czar Van Jones' current practices and past comments helped force his resignation.

This is from McHenry's office
:

“Each of the two possible scenarios here is troubling ... 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.  On the other hand, if the czars have no actual power, then I am equally concerned that taxpayers are fronting the bill for the salaries of these figureheads and their staff ..."

Here's my take. Anyone who actually enjoys being called a czar should be watched. Closely.


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