The director of the White House Office of Administration, Timothy A. Campen, has decreed that any questions to the White House must be filtered through Republican committee chairmen, effectively cutting off any questioning from Democratic representatives.
The Bush White House, irritated by pesky questions from congressional Democrats about how the administration is using taxpayer money, has developed an efficient solution: It will not entertain any more questions from opposition lawmakers.
[…]
“Given the increase in the number and types of requests we are beginning to receive from the House and Senate, and in deference to the various committee chairmen and our desire to better coordinate these requests, I am asking that all requests for information and materials be coordinated through the committee chairmen and be put in writing from the committee.”
He said this would limit “duplicate requests” and help answer questions “in a timely fashion.”
It would also do another thing: prevent Democrats from getting questions answered without the blessing of the GOP committee chairmen.
“It’s saying we’re not going to allow the opposition party to ask questions about the way we use tax money,” said R. Scott Lilly, Democratic staff director for the House committee. “As far as I know, this is without modern precedent.”
From what I can tell, this seems to be the political equivalent of sticking your fingers in your ears, squinting your eyes shut, and chanting “LA LA LA LA I CAN’T HEAR YOU!”
Classy.
i wish that the white house was in different colors so that people can get along with each other
i wish that the white house was in different colors