E&C Democrats Expect EPA’s IG Review to Include Pruitt’s “Blanket Waiver” for First-Class Domestic Travel

Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General (EPA IG) Arthur Elkins, Jr. today asking for confirmation that his ongoing audit of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's travel includes the Administrator's "blanket waiver" from federal standards that limit government employees' first-class travel.

The three Democratic Committee leaders' letter comes after a troubling report last week by The Washington Post detailing Administrator Pruitt's lavish and secretive travel practices, including extensive first-class travel and stays at luxury hotels. It has since been reported that Administrator Pruitt has a "blanket waiver" from federal standards that limit the purchase of first-class tickets for domestic travel. Pruitt also flew first class to Boston earlier this week, the day after the Trump Administration proposed cutting EPA's overall budget by 23 percent, reducing agency staffing levels to record lows and slashing funding for critical public health programs for clean air, chemical safety and geographic programs.

"Administrator Pruitt's many first-class flights around the country at taxpayers' expense raise renewed concerns of secrecy and waste at the Trump EPA," Pallone, DeGette and Tonko wrote to Inspector General Elkins. "In light of these recent reports, we would expect your ongoing review would determine whether Administrator Pruitt's ‘blanket waiver' for premium-class travel is in compliance with all applicable regulations, policies and procedures."

The EPA's Inspector General is currently in the process of conducting a review of Administrator Pruitt's frequent travel at the request of the three Democratic Committee leaders last year. The IG is reviewing Pruitt's travel to and from his home state of Oklahoma and his use of private planes and government aircraft at significant taxpayers' expense.

The three Committee leaders today questioned reports that agency personnel have indicated Pruitt has a "blanket waiver" from federal standards that limit the purchase of first-class tickets, citing security concerns.

"It is unclear how, in each of these instances, more costly domestic travel, or where one is seated on an aircraft, provides additional security as compared to more economical options," the three Democratic Committee leaders continued in their letter.

Pallone, DeGette and Tonko wrote that they would anticipate the EPA IG's review would include a determination of several questions, including:

• On how many occasions to date did Administrator Pruitt travel in first or business- class on domestic flights, and what was the total expense of these tickets?
• Which EPA political appointees and career staff were involved in the development, drafting, or review of the "blanket review?"
• To what extent were all applicable travel regulations and Agency travel policies appropriately followed for the issuance of a "blanket waiver" for Administrator Pruitt's premium travel? What is the date of issue for the "blanket review"?
• How does EPA's purchase of premium-class airfare provide enhanced security as compared to economy-class airfare? Is first-class safer than business-class? Is business-class safer than economy or coach?
• Have any other current EPA political appointees received waivers from federal regulations in order to authorize first or business-class travel?

A copy of the letter is available HERE.

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