Cummings Calls for Hearing With Pruitt and Top Aides

Washington, D.C. (Apr. 5, 2018)—Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter asking Chairman Trey Gowdy to hold a hearing next week with embattled EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and his top aides and to obtain documents relating to a host of serious new allegations against Pruitt and his advisors over the past week.

"In light of a string of very troubling new allegations, I request that the Oversight Committee hold a hearing next week with sworn testimony from Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt and his top aides," Cummings wrote. "Based on the events of the past week, it appears that the leadership at EPA is coming apart at the seams. It is our responsibility on the Oversight Committee to conduct credible, robust oversight in a timely manner that protects the interests of the American taxpayers."

In today's letter, Cummings also released new information from documents provided to the Committee relating to Pruitt's lavish travel at taxpayer expense, including his trip to Morocco in December to promote the interests of Cheniere Energy, a client of lobbying firm Williams & Jensen, as well as 35 trips taken by Mr. Pruitt between March 2017 and February 2018, including 13 trips at taxpayer expense with stops in Oklahoma, where he maintains a residence.

Cummings asked Gowdy to issue a subpoena because EPA has failed to produce a wide range of documents that were requested by the Committee on February 20, 2018.

"EPA did not produce any documents in response to the Committee's request to indicate how many other EPA employees traveled with Mr. Pruitt," Cummings wrote. "As a result, the Committee has been prevented from determining the full cost of these trips to the U.S. taxpayers."

Click here to read today's letter.