We Need a Red Cross Ombudsman

I commend the Judiciary Committee’s approval of a bill making key changes to the governing structure contained in the American Red Cross charter, including many recommendations recently made by the organization’s Board of Governors.

The bill, which I introduced with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), Chairman of the HELP Committee, and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, also includes a provision for the creation of a Red Cross Ombudsman that would report directly to Congress.

The Red Cross has a profound and direct impact on millions. It provides a reliable, safe, supply of life-sustaining blood, and offers food, comfort and shelter to families in times of natural disaster. Usually, folks receive that aid at moments when they’re most vulnerable – sick, injured, or when they’ve lost their homes.

They want to know the source of that aid, and that there are checks and balances to guard against fraud, waste or abuse. Our bill will help ensure that those checks and balances are sound, reliable and vigilant – just as Americans expect the Red Cross to be.