Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) sent a letter to Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) today urging him to hold oversight hearings on the use of private planes and government aircraft at significant taxpayer expense by members of the Trump Administration.
The request comes after a commitment from Walden to Congressman Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) in October during a Committee markup that the Committee would conduct “oversight investigations as appropriate." Inspector General investigations are currently taking place within three agencies at the request of Pallone and other Committee Democrats, but, to date, the Republican Majority has not conducted any oversight of this misuse of taxpayer funds.
Several independent reports have revealed a troubling pattern of non-commercial travel by several Trump Administration cabinet members. Former Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price resigned in September after it was exposed that he had been “taking private jets to travel domestically for months," costing taxpayers at least $400,000. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt also traveled on private planes several times, and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry used a private plane and government aircraft at a cost of up to $35,000 on taxpayers’ dime.
“It is unclear why cabinet members would repeatedly and blatantly abuse taxpayer funds with costly travel when more economical options were reportedly available," Pallone wrote to Chairman Walden. “It is critical that we ensure there are effective Agency controls that exist to prevent the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse related to leadership and staff travel."
“American taxpayers deserve assurances that their tax dollars are not wasted by the government’s highest officials. As the Energy and Commerce Committee, we have an obligation to conduct active and responsible oversight of our agencies of jurisdiction," Pallone continued.
In an October Committee proceeding, Chairman Walden stated that, ““[w]e are asking questions of every agency about their travel, or virtually every agency, and we have already sent letters … We will do our oversight investigations as appropriate along the way with agencies."
In the letter, Pallone requested that Chairman Walden follow through on his stated intention to conduct oversight - including scheduling oversight hearings.
