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Breaking: First Democrat questions Obama over AmeriCorps IG firing
By: Byron York
Chief Political Correspondent
06/16/09 7:26 PM EDT
Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill has become the first Democrat to question the White House over the firing of AmeriCorps inspector general Gerald Walpin. McCaskill, who, like Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, is a champion of inspectors general, co-wrote the 2008 legislation requiring the president to give 30 days' notice, and cause, before firing an inspector general. In a statement released this afternoon, McCaskill says that the reason the president gave for firing Walpin -- that the president no longer has "the fullest confidence" in Walpin -- is, in McCaskill's words, "not sufficient." And McCaskill is calling on the White House to offer a fuller explanation as soon as possible. Here is McCaskill's statement:
The White House has failed to follow the proper procedure in notifying Congress as to the removal of the Inspector General for the Corporation for National and Community Service. The legislation which was passed last year requires that the president give a reason for the removal. "Loss of confidence" is not a sufficient reason. I’m hopeful the White House will provide a more substantive rationale, in writing, as quickly as possible.
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