Acting interior chief David Bernhardt, facing a Senate confirmation hearing Thursday, is facing scrutiny from Democrats for his unusual method of documenting meetings
This Nov. 16 photo shows a card listing former clients of acting interior secretary David Bernhardt's. He carries the card with him as he performs his job. Bernhardt, who worked as a lobbyist for a decade before rejoining the department, is barred until Aug. 3 from participating in matters that affect 22 of his former clients.
The acting secretary’s meetings are of keen interest to lawmakers and watchdog groups because his work history as an oil lobbyist, as well as a representative for large Western water agencies, has the potential to create serious conflicts of interest at an agency that controls drilling rights and access to water.
When Grijalva pressed the issue and requested Bernhardt’s personal calendar, the acting secretary fired off a Feb. 28 letter. “I have not personally maintained a calendar for years, and I have no intention of suddenly doing so now,” he wrote. Bernhardt then challenged the congressman to publicly disclose his own meetings with nongovernment groups, writing, “Together, our leadership on this issue will provide a good example.
“The operations of the Office of the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary involve compiling and managing an ever changing schedule,” Rojewski wrote. At a budget hearing Wednesday, Grijalva asked a top Interior appointee to explain a March 14 email from a senior official — whose name was blacked out — instructing that any correspondence destined for him or any senator should “NOT be sent until you have further direction.” Noting that Trump nominated Bernhardt the next day, Grijalva asked, “Do you know why the email was sent?”
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Acting Interior chief faces confirmation hearing as critics say department is too close to industryEthics officials at Interior recently cleared Bernhardt of violating rules to prevent conflicts of interest in the California case, but advocacy groups that are critical
Weiterlesen »
'We need Turkey to buy the Patriot' missile defense system - acting Pentagon chiefActing U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Tuesday that he wanted NA...
Weiterlesen »
Inspector General to probe whether acting Pentagon chief helped BoeingThe Pentagon Inspector General said on Wednesday that it would investigate a com...
Weiterlesen »
Pentagon to probe if acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan used office to help BoeingPentagon's inspector general formally opens investigation into a watchdog group's allegations that Acting Defense Sec. Shanahan used his office to promote his former employer, Boeing Co., the AP reports.
Weiterlesen »
Pentagon to probe if acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan used his office to help BoeingThe Pentagon's inspector general says it will investigate a watchdog group's allegations that acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has used his office to promote his former employer, Boeing.
Weiterlesen »
Trump's acting defense secretary under ethics probe over Boeing tiesAn investigation has been launched to determine whether acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan violated ethics rules by promoting products made by my his former employer, Boeing, while serving in his current role at the Pentagon, the Defense Department's inspector general announced Wednesday.
Weiterlesen »