Senator vows to block counterterrorism, arms control nominees over watchdog firings – By Matthew Daly (The Associated Press) / June 6 2020
WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley says he is blocking two Trump administration nominees until the White House provides adequate reasons for the termination of two inspectors general.
The Iowa senator, a longtime advocate for the watchdog role of inspectors general, pledged to block Senate consideration of Christopher Miller to be director of the National Counterterrorism Center and Marshall Billingslea to be undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, indefinitely.
Grassley has been seeking answers on President Donald Trump’s recent firings of several inspectors general, including Michael Atkinson, inspector general for the intelligence community, and State Department Inspector General Steve Linick.
While the Constitution gives the president authority to hire and fire executive branch personnel, “Congress has made it clear that should the president find reason to fire an inspector general, there ought to be a good reason for it,” Grassley said.
A White House letter last week addressing the firings did not answer his questions, Grassley said, adding that his request for information is “clearly stated in statute and accompanying reports.”
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