Antideficiency Act requires Pruitt to report soundproof phone booth spending violation and take disciplinary action

Washington (April 26, 2018) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today called on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to take appropriate disciplinary action for his violation of the law by spending more than $43,000 on a soundproof phone booth for his use. Senator Markey also called on Pruitt to immediately supply President Donald Trump and Congress with the details of this violation of the Antideficiency Act. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) opined in writing about the violation of the Antideficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from incurring obligations in excess of legally available amounts. The Antideficiency Act requires that its violator be punished and “shall be subject to appropriate administrative discipline including, when circumstances warrant, suspension from duty without pay or removal from office.”

“The only person being investigated more than Donald Trump is Scott Pruitt,” said Senator Markey. “The GAO has found Mr. Pruitt in violation of the law with his spending, and he is subject to discipline. The best and most appropriate outcome is for Scott Pruitt to report the violation to the President and Congress, comply with the law and resign his position at the EPA. It is impossible to have any confidence in Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA when every day there is a new story about his ethically questionable actions.”

A copy of Senator Markey’s letter can be found HERE.

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