WASHINGTON – Today, the Committee on House Administration’s Ranking Republican Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich., issued the following statement in response to a letter from House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, requesting the immediate dismissal of Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Beard:

“As former Chairman, and current Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, I have firsthand knowledge of the important role the CAO plays in House operations. For a person that leads an organization of such complexity and of great consequence to the House of Representatives, it is imperative that the Chief Administrative Officer is an individual that both parties can stand behind with great confidence.”

“Because the members of the Committee on House Administration are ultimately responsible for the successful operations of the House, I have consistently worked to ensure that the finite resources provided by the American people are properly utilized. It is imperative that the House be operated in the most professional, accountable and transparent manner possible. That is why adherence to House rules and regulations is foundational, not optional.”

“The successful operation of the House should most certainly not be partisan. The qualifications of a Chief Administrative Officer should be reviewed by both the Majority and the Minority during the appointment process, as was done with the previous appointment. As a result of the closed appointment process, subsequent partisan behavior and questionable management actions taken by the Chief Administrative Officer, a considerable amount of bad feeling has been generated and a substantial number of my colleagues have lost confidence in the CAO. I look forward to working with Chairman Brady to assure that the administrative functions of the House are carried out properly, with great regard for the need to carefully shepherd and expend our taxpayer funds in a unified, bipartisan manner.”


For more information, please contact the Committee press office at (202) 225-8281.