Oregon Public Broadcasting

Hood River Republican Greg Walden says he wants Timothy Geithner to resign as the U.S. Treasury Secretary.

He's one of the first members of Congress to do so.

Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.

Walden says he first called for a new Treasury secretary earlier this week. Here he is on Fox News, talking about Geithner.

Rep. Greg Walden: “I’ve lost confidence in him, I think America has lost confidence in him, and many in the Congress have. And you’re hearing more and more members of Congress, House and Senate, coming forward and joining in this call for him to go.”

Geithner’s been on the hot seat recently for the $165 million in bonuses given to AIG executives.

And critics have said Geithner has handled the financial crisis slowly and hasn’t filled critical jobs in his office.

Most of Oregon’s Democrats haven’t yet taken such a stand. Senator Jeff Merkley and Congressman Earl Blumenauer both say they continue to support Geithner.

Though, Springfield Congressman Peter Defazio says he has not been impressed by Geithner, and thinks President Obama should at least consider replacing him.