Federal Government Policy and Business

Two Congressional Committees Probe Pruitt’s First-Class Travel

Government Executive: Two congressional committees have launched probes into the travel of the Environmental Protection Agency chief, who has faced backlash for his use of first-class travel on the government’s dime.

Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Democrats on the the House Energy and Commerce Committee, sent letters to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Tuesday asking for detailed information on his travel schedule and justification for booking premium flights. Pruitt and EPA have defended the first-class flights as necessary for security. The agency initially stated Pruitt maintained a blanket waiver to fly first class, a violation of federal regulations, but has since walked that back and said the administrator received a sign off for each individual trip.

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