Democrats seek GAO study on EPA hires' ethics compliance

Frustrated by EPA's alleged failure to respond to their oversight requests, top Democrats on the Senate environment committee are urging the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate Administrator Scott Pruitt's use of special legal authority that has allowed him to hire political appointees who are exempt from some ethics requirements. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), ranking member on the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee (EPW), and Sen Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), ranking member on EPW's air subcommittee, sent an Aug. 18...