Senator demands answers on firing of AmeriCorps IG
Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, threatens to place holds on nominees if administration does not respond to questions about Gerald Walpin.
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, on Monday warned the Obama administration to answer questions about last June's firing of AmeriCorps Inspector General Gerald Walpin or "face the consequences," which he indicated would include holds on key nominees.
Grassley said he has not received sufficient responses to questions he wrote to Attorney General Eric Holder two weeks ago regarding the Justice Department's involvement in the termination of Walpin, who worked at the Corporation for National and Community Service, parent agency of the AmeriCorps national service program.
"I have previously stated that unless the Department of Justice starts answering our questions completely and in a timely manner, I am going to start holding up nominees," Grassley said on the Senate floor.
"Yet, despite my threats, it's business as usual at the department. ... This is yet another public warning to the department. It's time to start responding fully to our questions in a timely manner or face the consequences."
Grassley said he hoped Justice would provide complete answers to his questions before Holder comes before the Judiciary Committee this month.