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Lieberman to hold czars hearing

By Eric Zimmermann - 10/19/09 10:18 AM ET

For the second time in a month, a Senate committee will hold a hearing to explore the role of "czars" in the executive branch.

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) will convene the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on Thursday to explore "The Past, Present, and Future of Policy Czars."

That description is similar to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on czars a few weeks ago, titled "Examining the History and Legality of Executive Branch Czars."

Republicans and a handful of Democrats have questioned the administration's use of so-called czars, many of whom do not require Senate confirmation. White House supporters point out that previous presidents, including Republicans, have appointed similar advisers.

Witnesses at Lieberman's hearing will include former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, George Mason University Professor James Piffner, Attorney Lee A. Casey, and Harold Relyea, a former researcher at the Congressional Research Service.

The hearing is scheduled for the morning of Oct. 22.

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/63657-lieberman-to-hold-czars-hearing
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Comments (18)

Will be anxious to read how this hearing turns out!I could be wrong on this, but I read early this year, that Pres.Obama picks and hires his czars personally and that they have to answer to noone (probably Pres.).IF that is true, that is a lot of Power/Control for someone hired off the street as they are running totally the agency that is created for them. So, I will be happy to read the results of these hearings.BY Journe on 10/19/2009 at 12:09
The thirty-six or so people that Barack Obama has surrounded himself with to handle this problem or that issue, and yet are not confirmed by the Senate or operating an agency created by Congress, are not really his "czars." These people are, instead, his "commissars." Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany both called those vague, undefined figures appointed by the Leader to carry out his intentionsBY dave on 10/19/2009 at 13:12
Amen and obama should have to testify under oath himself for his misdeeds in appointing thugsBY jake2 on 10/19/2009 at 13:34
Why do we need the Senate and House if there are CZARS? I suggest that congress pull the plug on his money. By the way what has his expenditures been on all his travel and RR's been. He is never in Washington unless you have radicals in town that he has to see. Where is the media. If it was a republican we would know the costs. $475K per job it has cost the tax payers, wouldn't be better to just give them 60K we would save money! Regan put 21 million people to work without any cost and doubled the revenue to the treasuryagain not costing the tax payers a penny. The dems did talk him into a tax increase is last term but he would only do it if they would put two dollars out of every three increase towards the deficit and you know what happen. The dems lied as usual. They love tax increases and Power they go hand in hand.BY William on 10/19/2009 at 13:35
It really depends on whether or not a Czar has control over money or Cabinet Department activities. If so, the Czar's position is probably unconstitutiona l and extra-legal. If not, the Czar is just and advisor, and is probably Constitutional.If the Czars are controlling budget or policy, my personal belief is that this would not the first time that this administration has acted unconstitutiona lly, think the auto bailout, for example:http://luciusquinctius .blogspot.com/2009/05/we-have-clearly-lost-our-way.htmlBY Frank Canzolino on 10/19/2009 at 13:49
Does the president automatically get an unlimited budget to hire these people? Congress needs to dramatically limit such funds.Also, how is it that normal government employees must pass background checks and are dismissed or ruled ineligible for government employment for such things as extravagant spending, not filing or paying taxes, poor credit, subversive associations, foreign travel and dishonest answers to questions. Wouldn't that eliminate most of these appointees…oh and the the president and half of Congress too?BY Monax on 10/19/2009 at 13:51
We need random durg testing for all federal government employees.BY jake2 on 10/19/2009 at 13:59
I agree with Dave above my post. Oslo is attempting to circumvent the civilian governance chain-of-command by-across-the board ad hoc arrangements. My speculation is he does not want to deal with the feedback he will get through normal channels from career civilian employees to the implementation of his agenda. Since he does not know history very well, and without any institutional knowledge to lean on, or benefit from, he makes the mistake of thinking he and his Ivy covered advisors know everything. With regard to the military he is doing OJT and getting advise from Joe, lets divide up Iraq and overlook the genocide to follow, Biden. To remain a 'czar' you must do The TSAR's bidding. A war time commander has not been allowed to testify before Congress and to report to the American people, as if exiled to Siberia. It is not just a czar here and there, there is a pattern. This is not the kind of undemocratic organizing the Founding Fathers had in mind. But then, neither Oslo nor Holder who pick and choose which laws to enforce or ignore—buffet cafeteria law, such as in the case of illegals or Acorn, have shown respect for the rule of law. Just ask Sgt Crowley.BY graham on 10/19/2009 at 14:07
Nothing will come of this s[***] game,, people will testify, questions will be asked and nothing will change…what should change is allowing a Senate position to be a job for live… Lets give the country back to people…BY joe cassidy on 10/19/2009 at 14:29
Interesting piece in the CSM today on this topic. Hope the Senators ask about reorganization authority. http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1019/p09s04-coop.htmlBY Eddie on 10/19/2009 at 14:33

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