Gowdy Requests Zinke Explain $139,000 Office Doors

House Oversight Chairman Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., has asked Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to explain the money his department is spending on new doors for his office.

"The Committee is aware of numerous reports about the need for replacement doors at the Department and allegations of excess cost," Gowdy wrote, according to Roll Call. "To help the Committee evaluate this matter, please provide a briefing on plans to the replace the doors."

The Interior Department agreed in September to spend $138,670 on the "Secretary's door" for the balcony, to replace a door that leaked when it rained.

"The secretary was not aware of this contract but agrees that this is a lot of money for demo, install, materials, and labor," the department's press secretary, Heather Swift, said in a statement, according to The Hill.

"Between regulations that require historic preservation and outdated government procurement rules, the costs for everything from pencils to printing to doors is astronomical. This is a perfect example of why the secretary believes we need to reform procurement processes."

Zinke, in an appearance before the House Natural Resources Committee last week, argued that the high cost was to blame on historic preservation review laws.

"A lot of the issue is on historic buildings, you have to have follow such stringent rules," he said. "We're bound by those rules. I don't even have a choice."

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