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The Latest: Senate hearing focuses on EPA Pruitt's spending

Posted May 16, 2018 7:00 am

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt (all times local):

10:15 a.m.

A top Republican senator worries that the ethical cloud hanging over President Donald Trump's top environmental official is overshadowing the administration's pro-business regulatory moves.

Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt is appearing before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee, and lawmakers are raising questions about his spending habits, security precautions and large raises to some aides.

Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski, who heads the subcommittee, is expressing concern about the continued focus on the ethics allegations

And the subcommittee's top Democrat, New Mexico's Tom Udall, is accusing Pruitt of failing to inform lawmakers about a $43,000 soundproof booth for making private phone calls from his office.

Udall tells Pruitt he's treating his position of public trust "as a golden ticket for extravagant travel and fine dining."

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, accompanied by a member of his security, left, arrives to testify before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on budget on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Pruitt goes before a Senate panel Wednesday as he faces a growing number of federal ethics investigations over his lavish spending on travel and security. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The Associated Press

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