Rep. Chip Roy Challenges U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Over Recent Changes

Key Takeaways:

– Republican Rep. Chip Roy leads a congressional probe on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
– The probe focuses on a rule change allowing the Commission’s staff director to appoint State Advisory Committee members, a decision usually made by the Commission itself.
– The change contradicts a 65-year practice of the Commission, according to Roy.
– Mauro Albert Morales, the staff director, has two weeks to provide related documents to the congressional subcommittee.

Rep. Chip Roy Challenges Civil Rights Commission’s Rule Change

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, an independent federal agency, is suddenly under the microscope. Leading the charge is Rep. Chip Roy, a Congressman from Texas. He’s upset because the Commission made a big change he thinks stepped over the line.

What’s the Change that Stirred the Waters?

Here’s the lowdown. The Commission recently decided to let an official, known as the staff director, pick the people who sit on State Advisory Committees (SACs). Until now, this was a decision that the Commission made.

But hang on a minute, who exactly are these SACs? They are groups that advise the Commission. There is one for each state, plus Washington D.C, and the five U.S. territories. The Commission itself is made up of eight members. They include four Democrats, three Republicans, and one independent.

Rep. Roy claims the staff director’s role is mainly administrative and doesn’t cover the kinds of powers or duties that should involve the entire Commission.

Questioning Long-Standing Customs

Rep. Roy has shared his concerns in a letter directed at the staff director himself, Mauro Albert Morales. According to him, Morales shouldn’t be choosing who sits on the SACs. That decision should be up to the eight Commission members. And that’s how things have been done since Congress created the SACs in 1983.

It seems to Roy that Morales is trying to take more power than his job allows. And he makes it clear in his letter that he thinks this is wrong. Roy even goes so far as to say this move goes beyond what the law gives Morales the right to do.

The Clock is Ticking for Morales

But it doesn’t end there. Roy has given Morales two weeks to provide information about why this change was made in the first place. In particular, he wants to see any paperwork or messages that discuss this change.

This situation is far-reaching and complex. And it’s definitely not over yet. Stay tuned as we continue to follow the updates from Texas Congressman Chip Roy’s probe on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. This is a story that might bring big changes to the agency and its working practices. And, who knows, it might even change the rules on who gets to make the big decisions.

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