Czar Resolution: H.CON.RES.185

GOP Calls for CZAR Transparency

On September, 15th, 2009, along with 93 original cosponsors, Republican Representative Marsha Blackburn of the 7th District of Tennessee has introduced H. Con Res. 185 questioning the Constitutional requirements of Czar appointments. As stated by Blackburn, "All Presidents have a right to staff their administration as they see fit within the confines of the Constitution," Blackburn said. "Where I have concerns is when a President shifts duties away from officials who are subject to Congressional oversight to those on his personal staff who are not. These aides wield extraordinary influence and the American people have a right to know who they are, why they are qualified for their jobs, what their conflicts of interest might be, and what their job descriptions are. The President has an obligation to disclose this information."

There are a number of the Obama administration czars that have already disclosed certain relevant information and been subject to a Senate confirmation process, however, there are many who have not. These Presidentially-appointed czars should be held to the same measures of public scrutiny and vetting process as would any other nominee requiring Senate confirmation. H.Con.Res. 185 states that, ‘Whereas at least 36 czars have been appointed in 2009, raising concerns about the Federal government’s provision of adequate transparency and accountability to the public…"

The Senate Armed Services has a questionnaire that is required for all nominees under its jurisdiction. According to Blackburn, "It is detailed, intrusive, public, and entirely appropriate for someone who takes on the public’s trust. It would be a tremendous model for the President to use in complying with this resolution. If czars are going to act with the authority of cabinet secretaries, the public should know as much about them."

H.Con.Res.185 Sponsors

Below is a list of the 93 original co-sponsors to H.Con.Res. 185 and the 10 additional sponsors officially added on September 16, 2009. The H. Con. Res. 185 has now been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform chaired by Edolphus "Ed" Towns (D-NY -  Phone: (202) 225-5936). The Ranking Member is Darrell Issa (R-CA – Phone: 202-225-3906). All 103 cosponsors to this bill are Republican, and 11 of the 16 Republican members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform have signed on as co-sponsors. The five Republican members not co-sponsoring H.Con.Res.185 are Darrell Issa, John McHugh, John Micca, Jimmy Duncan, and Jeff Fortenberry. Not one of the Democrat members of the committee are co-sponsors.

Rep Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4] – 9/15/2009
Rep Akin, W. Todd [R-MO-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Alexander, Rodney [R-LA-5] – 9/16/2009
Rep Austria, Steve [R-OH-7] – 9/15/2009
Rep Bachmann, Michele [R-MN-6] – 9/15/2009
Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [R-MD-6] – 9/15/2009
Rep Barton, Joe [R-TX-6] – 9/15/2009
Rep Biggert, Judy [R-IL-13] – 9/15/2009
Rep Bilbray, Brian P. [R-CA-50] – 9/15/2009
Rep Bishop, Rob [R-UT-1] – 9/15/2009
Rep Bonner, Jo [R-AL-1] – 9/15/2009
Rep Bono Mack, Mary [R-CA-45] – 9/16/2009
Rep Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [R-LA-7] – 9/15/2009
Rep Brady, Kevin [R-TX-8] – 9/15/2009
Rep Broun, Paul C. [R-GA-10] – 9/15/2009
Rep Brown, Henry E., Jr. [R-SC-1] – 9/15/2009
Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [R-FL-5] – 9/16/2009
Rep Burton, Dan [R-IN-5] – 9/15/2009
Rep Campbell, John [R-CA-48] – 9/15/2009
Rep Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Carter, John R. [R-TX-31] – 9/15/2009
Rep Cassidy, Bill [R-LA-6] – 9/15/2009
Rep Chaffetz, Jason [R-UT-3] – 9/15/2009
Rep Coble, Howard [R-NC-6] – 9/15/2009
Rep Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6] – 9/15/2009
Rep Cole, Tom [R-OK-4] – 9/15/2009
Rep Conaway, K. Michael [R-TX-11] – 9/15/2009
Rep Culberson, John Abney [R-TX-7] – 9/15/2009
Rep Davis, Geoff [R-KY-4] – 9/15/2009
Rep Duncan, John J., Jr. [R-TN-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Emerson, Jo Ann [R-MO-8] – 9/15/2009
Rep Fallin, Mary [R-OK-5] – 9/15/2009
Rep Flake, Jeff [R-AZ-6] – 9/16/2009
Rep Fleming, John [R-LA-4] – 9/15/2009
Rep Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5] – 9/15/2009
Rep Franks, Trent [R-AZ-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Gingrey, Phil [R-GA-11] – 9/15/2009
Rep Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1] – 9/15/2009
Rep Granger, Kay [R-TX-12] – 9/15/2009
Rep Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Heller, Dean [R-NV-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Hensarling, Jeb [R-TX-5] – 9/15/2009
Rep Inglis, Bob [R-SC-4] – 9/15/2009
Rep Jenkins, Lynn [R-KS-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3] – 9/16/2009
Rep Jordan, Jim [R-OH-4] – 9/15/2009
Rep King, Steve [R-IA-5] – 9/16/2009
Rep Kingston, Jack [R-GA-1] – 9/15/2009
Rep Kline, John [R-MN-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5] – 9/15/2009
Rep Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5] – 9/15/2009
Rep Lee, Christopher J. [R-NY-26] – 9/16/2009
Rep Linder, John [R-GA-7] – 9/15/2009
Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY] – 9/15/2009
Rep Lungren, Daniel E. [R-CA-3] – 9/15/2009
Rep Marchant, Kenny [R-TX-24] – 9/15/2009
Rep McCarthy, Kevin [R-CA-22] – 9/15/2009
Rep McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10] – 9/15/2009
Rep McClintock, Tom [R-CA-4] – 9/15/2009
Rep McHenry, Patrick T. [R-NC-10] – 9/15/2009
Rep McKeon, Howard P. "Buck" [R-CA-25] – 9/15/2009
Rep Miller, Candice S. [R-MI-10] – 9/15/2009
Rep Miller, Gary G. [R-CA-42] – 9/15/2009
Rep Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9] – 9/15/2009
Rep Neugebauer, Randy [R-TX-19] – 9/15/2009
Rep Nunes, Devin [R-CA-21] – 9/15/2009
Rep Olson, Pete [R-TX-22] – 9/15/2009
Rep Paul, Ron [R-TX-14] – 9/15/2009
Rep Pence, Mike [R-IN-6] – 9/15/2009
Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16] – 9/15/2009
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19] – 9/15/2009
Rep Poe, Ted [R-TX-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Price, Tom [R-GA-6] – 9/15/2009
Rep Rehberg, Denny [R-MT] – 9/15/2009
Rep Roe, David P. [R-TN-1] – 9/15/2009
Rep Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3] – 9/15/2009
Rep Rogers, Mike J. [R-MI-8] – 9/15/2009
Rep Rooney, Thomas J. [R-FL-16] – 9/15/2009
Rep Ryan, Paul [R-WI-1] – 9/15/2009
Rep Scalise, Steve [R-LA-1] – 9/15/2009
Rep Schmidt, Jean [R-OH-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Schock, Aaron [R-IL-18] – 9/15/2009
Rep Shadegg, John B. [R-AZ-3] – 9/15/2009
Rep Shimkus, John [R-IL-19] – 9/15/2009
Rep Shuster, Bill [R-PA-9] – 9/16/2009
Rep Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2] – 9/16/2009
Rep Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] – 9/15/2009
Rep Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21] – 9/16/2009
Rep Souder, Mark E. [R-IN-3] – 9/15/2009
Rep Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6] – 9/15/2009
Rep Sullivan, John [R-OK-1] – 9/15/2009
Rep Terry, Lee [R-NE-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Thornberry, Mac [R-TX-13] – 9/15/2009
Rep Tiahrt, Todd [T-KS-4] – 9/15/2009
Rep Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-3] – 9/15/2009
Rep Upton, Fred [R-MI-6] – 9/15/2009
Rep Walden, Greg [R-OR-2] – 9/15/2009
Rep Wamp, Zach [R-TN-3] – 9/15/2009
Rep Westmoreland, Lynn A. [R-GA-3] – 9/15/2009
Rep Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1] – 9/15/2009
Rep Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10] – 9/15/2009
Rep Young, C.W. Bill [R-FL-10] – 9/15/2009

Keep in mind that similar legislation was submitted on July 15th, 2009, by Representative Jack Kingston (R-GA-1) under H.R. 3226 with 104 cosponsors and then referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement. If you agree with these representatives that there should be transparency and a formal vetting process for the appointment of czars to the Obama administration, don’t wait by for these pieces of legislation to gather dust in committee. Make phone calls to your representatives and to the committee and let them know the American people are waiting for a vote one way or another.