Senate GOPers Urge More Scrutiny Of Pruitt Management, Spending Decisions

"Several Senate Republicans said Tuesday that Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt’s management and spending decisions should be subject to greater congressional scrutiny, although nearly all of them stopped short of asking him to resign.

The increasingly critical comments from Senate Republicans across the ideological spectrum — from longtime ally James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma to moderate Susan Collins of Maine — come as Pruitt readies for back-to-back appearances before two House committees Thursday in what promises to be a grilling from members of both parties. Pruitt has declined to coordinate with White House officials in preparing for the hearings, according to senior administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

Some GOP senators said Pruitt’s approach to spending taxpayer money and his private financial dealings — which has include the repeated use of first-class travel, an extensive security detail and a New York Times account of an unusual housing deal while he was serving as an Oklahoma state senator — have tarnished their party’s image and threaten to undermine President Trump’s avowed commitment to reform."

Juliet Eilperin, Josh Dawsey, and Mike DeBonis report for the Washington Post April 24, 2018.

SEE ALSO:

"Scott Pruitt’s Political Patron Now Questions the E.P.A. Chief’s Ethics" (New York Times)

"White House: Trump Staff Thinks Pruitt 'Going To Be Fired Soon'" (E&E News PM)

"Pruitt Declined White House Offer To Help Prep For Marathon Day Of Congressional Questions" (ABC News)

"Pruitt Reassigned Lawmen As Drivers, Bodyguards in Oklahoma" (AP)

"G.O.P. Support Shows Cracks as Scott Pruitt’s Ethics Inquiries Widen" (New York Times)

"Republicans Want Answers From Scott Pruitt" (CNN)

"Pruitt Support In Senate Erodes As GOP Lawmakers Seek Hearings" (Politico)

"A Timeline Of Scandals And Ethical Shortfalls at Scott Pruitt's EPA" (Media Matters)

"EPA Security Chief Also Worked For Tabloid Owner Who Supports Trump" (AP)