Rep. Cummings Demands Details of Pruitt's Public Records Policy

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, is urging Chairman Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., to force the Environmental Protection Agency to disclose how EPA aides reviewed politically sensitive documents before releasing them, Politico is reporting.

Cumming is pushing for Gowdy to subpoena the agency for information on how former EPA chief Scott’s Pruitt’s political aides scrutinized the material. Cummings wants a host of documents relating to the agency’s Freedom of Information Act processes.

Former EPA chief of staff Ryan Jackson had conceded to congressional investigators that political appointees sometimes reviewed public record request prior to releasing information, Cummings said.

“During a Committee hearing in 2011, you criticized an official from the Department of Homeland Security for having political appointees review FOIA responses," Cummings wrote to Gowdy. "I ask that you show that same concern for the way this Administration is implementing FOIA.

Pruitt resigned earlier this month after a deluge of damaging revelations about his spending, travel and a condo rental.

• EPA Watchdog's Inquiry Into Pruitt's Practices Will Continue
• Several of Pruitt's top Aides are Leaving EPA