It’s not exactly prime time, but Rep. Doc Hastings was ready when Fox News called this morning.  

Hastings, the Pasco Republican, has emerged as a leading critic of the Obama administration from his perch as ranking minority on the House Natural Resources Committee.

This morning it was the stimulus package and the $298 million billion or so that the U.S. Department of Interior has not yet spent.

“Secretary (Ken) Salazar said we have shovel-ready jobs ready to go. Here we are now five months later, and less than one-half of one percent of those dollars have gone out the door,” Hastings said. “The question is, and I think the question most Americans are asking, where are the jobs?”

Salazar testifies today before the House Budget Committee.

— Leah Beth Ward