Norman Eisen was given a recess appointment as ambassador to the Czech Republic in what smells like a political payoff. Eisen was the special counsel 'tool' President Obama had call Inspector General Gerald Walpin and
demand he resign. You may remember
Walpin was investigating AmeriCorps and an Obama supporter at the time. Walpin refused to resign and subsequently was fired by President Obama. Then, Obama
blocked the investigation into the firing. Hopefully, this firing will be one of the things House Republicans investigate when they take control of the House Wednesday. Eisen was one of
six recess appointments announced Wednesday while President Obama was in Hawaii.
Can the Republicans use the power of the purse to refuse to pay for a US Ambassador, or any other appointment, until one passes Senate confirmation?
ReplyDeleteLifeoftheMind said...
ReplyDelete"Can the Republicans use the power of the purse to refuse to pay for a US Ambassador, or any other appointment, until one passes Senate confirmation?"
I am not sure. They can hold hearings and subpoena people to testify. This one certainly deserves investigation.
Eisen is deeply involved in Walpingate.
ReplyDeleteThe subpoena power is all well and good and the power to hold hearings is tied to the power to pass legislation. If the House submits a budget that does not fund an Ambassador slot in Prague and states that no government funds can be spent on that position until after a nominee passes the Senate then it might be illegal to act in that capacity.
ReplyDeleteIt is my impression that it is illegal to do a government job for free. Obama may have the power to appoint in a recess but if the position is not funded then no one would have the ability to act in it.
Remember the funding has to start in the House, the Senate Democrats can't simply submit it and then dare the House not to act. Right now the government is operating under a 90 day continuing resolution.
The Democrats are hoping to break the GOP by getting the Media to support them if the House "shuts down the government." That is how they resurrected Clinton and broke Gingrich. This time the Press may be less powerful and the House Democrats may be more determined.