Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, made the following statement today in response to the growing controversy surrounding President Obama's so-called green jobs czar, Van Jones:

"Given recent revelations concerning the associations and statements of the president's green jobs czar, Van Jones should resign his position and if he is unwilling to do so, the president should demand his resignation.  His extremist views and coarse rhetoric have no place in this Administration or the public debate.

"The Constitution of the United States vests Congress with the responsibility to advise and consent in the appointment of high ranking officials by the president. To date, President Obama has appointed more than thirty individuals to ‘czar' positions within his Administration without permitting the Congress or the American people to properly examine their backgrounds or public records.

"In the wake of these recent revelations, the president should suspend any further appointments of so-called 'czars' until Congress has an opportunity to examine the background and responsibilities of these individuals and to determine the constitutionality of such appointments, which have spanned multiple administrations."