Top Republican Demands E.P.A. Chief's Travel Files

Representative Trey Gowdy (R-SC), has called upon Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt to turn over documents related to his travel expenses. Gowdy claimed that there are concerns over conflicting statements from Pruitt's office about having a first-class wavier to fly first-class on all trips.

In a letter, Representative Gowdy stated that “Clearly, federal regulations prohibit a blanket waiver to fly first class except to accommodate disabilities or special needs.”  He continued by noting that "A waiver is required for each flight in order to fly first or business class when traveling on official government business.”

The issues falls on the back of an E.P.A. spokesperson who issued a department statement that noted Mr. Pruitt had a "blanket waiver" that allowed him to fly first-class at his leisure. The statement noted that security concerns were the main reason for the supposed waiver.

The General Services Administration has regulations on travel by federal employees that “blanket authorization” only covers coach-fare seating. The only exceptions to the rule are if there is a disability or the employee has special needs. The regulations also state that first-class travel must be approved on a “trip-by-trip” basis.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) also had concerns over the travel arrangements of Mr. Pruitt. She noted that “Good stewardship of the federal dollar is important to me, and it should be to him.”

Sources(s): New York Times

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