House investigates EPA chief’s travel

WASHINGTON—The chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday requested the travel documents of Scott Pruitt, the Environmental Protection Agency’s administrator, who is under scrutiny for taking first-class airline flights. In a letter, Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., asked Pruitt to turn over all of his government travel records since taking office and requested clarification on conflicting statements. The Washington Post reported earlier this month on Pruitt’s frequent first-class and business-class flights. Pruitt and his staff spent more than $90,000 on plane tickets in the first part of June alone, according to the Post. The EPA first released a statement that Pruitt had a “blanket waiver” because of security concerns. Later the office amended the statement to say Pruitt requested a waiver each time he upgraded his flight tickets. “Clearly, federal regulations prohibit a blanket waiver to fly first class except to accommodate disabilities or special needs,” Gowdy wrote. “Instead, a waiver is required for each flight in order to fly first or business class when traveling on official government business.” Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned last year amid criticism for booking private jets for his government trips, and Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin drew fire earlier this month after an inspector general’s report found he misused taxpayer dollars during a Europe trip last summer. Shulkin had a meeting with top White House staff on Tuesday and said the administration still has confidence in him.