Vitter Amendment to Defund Czars gets Senate Vote

Press Release

U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) introduced an amendment to the Nominations Process Reform Bill that would defund current "czars" in the Obama Administration and require Senate confirmation of current and future czars who hold similar authority and power as cabinet officials but have not undergone the formal confirmation process.

"These czars have a great deal of power and authority and I'm pleased that we got a vote to prohibit their funding so that Americans can see who in Congress shares their view that czars are outside traditional constitutional authority," Vitter said. "We were a few votes short, but I'll continue fighting to pass my legislation, especially while the czars continue calling shots that have a profound effect on our lives."

The Vitter amendment would have eliminated funding for newly established administrative offices that are headed by a "czar.' It also expand the definition of what is considered a "czar' to include the head of any task force, council, policy office or similar office established by the president that has not been confirmed by the U.S. Senate. This would not include the National Security Advisor.

In 2009 Vitter introduced an amendment to the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Interior spending bill that would prohibit any federal funds from being directed to programs or policies initiated by the White House Climate Change Czar.

Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Dean Heller (R-Nv.) Chuck Grassley (R-Ia.) and John Barrasso (R-Wy.) co-sponsored Vitter's amendment. All Republicans present and Democrat Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Ben Nelson (D-Ne.) supported the amendment.

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