Republicans Press Obama to Shed Light on His 'Czars' - Political News - FOXNews.com

Republicans Press Obama to Shed Light on His 'Czars' - Political News - FOXNews.com: "Lawmakers are calling on the Obama White House to offer clarification on the role of some of its top policy makers, the so-called 'czars.'

House Republicans have introduced three resolutions aimed at forcing the president to fully disclose how the advisers were vetted and to explain why they shouldn't be subjected a full Senate confirmation process.

'Are these czars advisors or are they policy makers?' Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas asked. Poe said the distinction is important and ultimately mandates whether or not the lack of a Senate confirmation amounts to a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

A number of Republicans say their constituents are voicing concerns about possible unchecked power.

'They see these czar positions being handed out as candy suckers and they wonder what kind of accountability and transparency comes with these czars,' Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas, said Wednesday.

But the Obama administration is firing back. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters on Wednesday the 'czar' positions have existed for years.

'They're positions in the administration, they're positions in the previous administration,' Gibbs said. 'I think these are positions that date back at least to, you know, many, many administrations, where there may be policy coordination between many different departments in order to make governmental responses more efficient.'"