20-person full-time security detail costs taxpayers approximately $3 million a year

Washington (April 13, 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 repay the American taxpayer for security cost-overruns. Mr. Pruitt has a reported 20-person round-the-clock security detail and additional security equipment, such as a soundproof booth, despite the fact that the EPA Homeland Security Intelligence Team found no “specific credible direct threat to the EPA Administrator.” From February through May 2017, Mr. Pruitt’s security costs totaled $832,735.  His spending has far exceeded the security costs incurred by past EPA Administrators.

“I ask that you reimburse the U.S. Treasury for your unnecessary and excessive security-related expenditures. The American taxpayers deserve their money back,” writes Senator Markey. “Going forward, you must commit to bringing your security-related spending in line with your predecessors.”

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

Administrator Pruitt’s questionable security arrangements are now the subject of investigations by the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Inspector General of the Environmental Protection Agency.

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