Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner (left) and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testify before the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday, March 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
(CNSNews.com) – An Arizona congressman wants to know why Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner isn't facing tough questions over his apparent about-face on whether the U.S. would consider China's request to abandon the dollar as the global currency, in favor of a mix of currencies.
 
Geithner told Congress under oath Tuesday that he wouldn't consider China's proposal to shift away from the U.S. dollar toward a world currency -- then the following day (Wednesday) said the U.S. would "be open" to the idea.

Rep. John Shadegg (R.-Ariz.) thinks the Treasury secretary's swift about face demands an explanation.

"Beginning with his tax difficulties, and continuing through the puzzling narrative of when and what he knew about the AIG bonuses, Treasury Secretary Geithner has done little to inspire the confidence of the American people," said Shadegg.  "Oddly, Secretary Geithner continued his bizarre and puzzling conduct this week, making flatly contradictory statements about the dollar in a span of only 24 hours. This weakens confidence not only in him, but in the currency he is entrusted to protect.  ...