[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 3 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 3

 Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should issue, and 
    Congress should hold hearings on, a report and a certification 
    regarding the responsibilities, authorities, and powers of his 
                               ``czars''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 5, 2011

Mrs. Blackburn (for herself, Mr. Barton of Texas, Mr. Broun of Georgia, 
  Mr. Burgess, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, Mrs. 
 Lummis, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Gary G. Miller of California, 
 Mr. Olson, Mr. Rehberg, Mr. Rogers of Kentucky, Mr. Shimkus, and Mr. 
 Young of Alaska) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 
    was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should issue, and 
    Congress should hold hearings on, a report and a certification 
    regarding the responsibilities, authorities, and powers of his 
                               ``czars''.

Whereas Congress recognizes that the Constitution vests in the executive branch 
        the power to appoint Presidential advisers whose communications to the 
        President are protected under executive privilege;
Whereas Congress recognizes the importance of coordinating executive agencies, 
        and recognizes that Presidents often appoint special assistants, 
        commonly referred to as ``czars'', to manage this coordination with 
        regard to important areas of national policy, and to advise the 
        President;
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; and
Whereas members of Congress are concerned that the appointment of these czars 
        and their actions may subvert the legislative and oversight authority of 
        Congress under article I of the Constitution: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the President should--
                    (A) issue a report to Congress clearly outlining 
                the responsibilities, qualifications, and authorities 
                of the special assistants to the President, commonly 
                referred to as ``czars'', that he has appointed; and
                    (B) certify to Congress that such czars have not 
                asserted and will not in the future assert any powers 
                other than those granted by statute to a commissioned 
                officer on the President's staff; and
            (2) Congress should hold hearings on such report and such 
        certification within 30 days after the date of their receipt.
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