In response to the revelations that HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, has been chartering private jets to travel on official business, five House Democrats wrote a letter to Dr. Price demanding his resignation, according to The Hill.
U.S. Reps. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Ted Lieu of California, Brenda Lawrence of Michigan, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Pramila Jayapal of Washington, wrote the letter and are the first legislators to call for Dr. Price's removal.
"At a minimum, the American people expect cabinet secretaries to lead with integrity, accept accountability, and use public resources responsibly. In light of your breach of the public trust, we write to urge you to do the right thing and immediately tender your resignation," wrote the representatives.
Cabinet officials are supposed to travel on commercial flights unless absolutely necessary due to scheduling concerns, but a recent Politico report detailed how Dr. Price has spent over $400,000 on personal jet travel in 2017. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform sent a letter Wednesday asking Dr. Price to release the details of the jet trips, some of which are said to blur the line between personal and official business.
President Donald Trump has expressed disappointment over Dr. Price's actions and said he will look further into the situation.
"I am not happy about it. I'm going to look at it. I am not happy about it and I let him know it," Mr. Trump said Wednesday.
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