Obama to ignore stripping czars' salaries

WASHINGTON, April 18 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama won't be complying with language in the 2011 spending package that would strip salaries of several advisory posts, aides said.

House Republicans included language to the continuing resolution that funds government until Sept. 30 to cut salaries for four so-called "czars," appointed policy advisers who assist Obama on issues involving healthcare, climate change, urban affairs, and autos and manufacturing.

In a signing statement, Obama said he wasn't obligated to comply with the House GOP language, Politico reported Sunday.

"The president also has the prerogative to obtain advice that will assist him in carrying out his constitutional responsibilities, and do so not only from executive branch officials and employees outside the White House, but also from advisers within it," the statement issued Friday said. "Legislative efforts that significantly impede the president's ability to exercise his supervisory and coordinating authorities or to obtain the views of the appropriate senior advisers violate the separation of powers by undermining the president's ability to exercise his constitutional responsibilities and take care that the laws be faithfully executed."

Republicans and conservative analysts have accused the administration of giving unelected officials too much power within the White House.

Politico reported the language in the budget bill didn't appear to have any immediate effect on Obama's staff. Energy and climate adviser Carol Browner resigned earlier this year. Healthcare czar Nancy-Ann DeParle was promoted to deputy White House chief of staff. Adolfo Carrion, Obama's urban affairs adviser, became a regional director for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Auto and manufacturing adviser Ron Bloom wouldn't be affected by the language, the White House said.

"Over the last several months, the White House has undergone a reorganization that involved the consolidation of several offices and positions," a White House official said