Washington, DC – Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is cosponsoring two bills to provide greater oversight into the role of czars in the Obama Administration and require the confirmation of these high-level special policy advisors by the United States Senate. Simpson is an outspoken critic of the designation of dozens of czars who have been appointed since Obama took office and is concerned about this growing inclination by the Administration to by-pass the confirmation process laid out by the Constitution.

“Like many of my constituents, I am deeply concerned that the Administration has, in its first eight months in office, appointed over thirty czars to positions of immense authority on key public policies,” said Simpson.  “If these czars are so important to policy formulation, they should be nominated as cabinet secretaries and subjected to background checks and the other rigors of our Constitution’s system of checks and balances.  Instead, it appears that the President has chosen to surround himself with high-level advisors who could not otherwise withstand the scrutiny of the Senate confirmation process.”

Simpson has signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 3226, authored by Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA). Under the provisions of the bill, all funding would be eliminated for czars who hold non-interim senior positions in the Administration after bypassing the Senate confirmation process.  The bill will subject czars to a public confirmation process, allowing the Congress and the general public a chance to approve or disapprove of their appointment.

Simpson has also signed onto a House Resolution offered by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) that would require the President to report to Congress on the responsibilities and qualifications of appointed czars and certify that czars will not act outside their legal authority.

“The Constitution sets out a system of checks and balances that ensures one branch of government does not accumulate too much power,” said Simpson.  “The legislation I am supporting would restore those checks and balances that are so important to our system of government and shine some light on the way in which these czars are appointed.”