White House: We expect Pruitt to provide answers on ethics controversies

The White House on Wednesday said the White House is “evaluating” ethics controversies surrounding embattled Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt.

“We’re evaluating these concerns and we expect the EPA administrator to answer for them,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said during Wednesday’s press briefing.

She did not elaborate, saying only that the administration is “having ongoing conversations” with the EPA head. 

{mosads}Pruitt is facing a congressional investigation and pressure from some lawmakers to resign over a slew of recent controversies, including reports he rented a Capitol Hill condo from the wife of a prominent energy lobbyist for $50 a day only on the days he stayed at the condo.

In addition, recent reports have revealed his travel and security habits have cost taxpayers millions of dollars, that he approved raises for two staffers despite the White House rejecting the requests for pay increases and that he spent thousands on a soundproof booth in his office.

Pruitt is scheduled to testify Thursday in front of two House committees on the EPA’s budget. 

President Trump and some Republicans have defended Pruitt, praising him for cutting regulations at the EPA.

Meanwhile, more than 170 Democrats signed a resolution last week calling for Pruitt’s resignation. A handful of Republican representatives have also called on Pruitt to step down.