Bennett says 'czars' undermine Constitution

Sen. Bob Bennett says President Barack Obama's appointment of "czars" to oversee various initiatives "undermines the Constitution."

He joined five other GOP senators in a letter to Obama on Tuesday complaining that his heavy use of czars, who may not need confirmation by the Senate, hurts congressional oversight of executive-branch actions.

Bennett said in a news release about that letter, "The president's decision to expand the executive branch and bypass Cabinet officers with a group of presidential assistants given the title of 'czars' undermines the Constitution."

He added, "I think Congress needs to start asking whether the president's action to create these 'czars,' many of which are not subject to senatorial confirmation, is an attempt to negate Congress's right of oversight."

The letter said that many czars that Obama appointed "either duplicate or dilute the statutory authority that Congress has conferred upon Cabinet-level officers and other senior executive-branch officials."

It said creating czars "can hinder the ability of Congress to oversee the complex substantive issues that you have unilaterally entrusted to their leadership."

The letter said the GOP senators see at least 18 czars appointed without Senate confirmation "that may be undermining the constitutional oversight responsibilities of Congress."

The senators asked Obama for specific responsibilities of each and any limitations that Obama has put on them to ensure they do not exceed statutory responsibilities. They also asked how the administration examines the character of each appointee and whether they will agree to appear before Congress.

"We also urge you to refrain from creating similar additional positions or making appointments to any vacant 'czar' positions until you have full consulted with the appropriate congressional committees," the letter said.

Other senators signing the letter were Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine; Christopher Bond, R-Mo.; Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; Mike Crapo, R-Idaho; and Pat Roberts, R-Kan.

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