Feb 18, 2018

Pruitt nixes Israel trip amid scrutiny over travel expenses

Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Scott Pruitt at White House press briefing. Photo: Cheriss May / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt has postponed a planned trip to Israel that was to last almost a week, The Washington Post reports, citing agency officials.

Why it matters: Pruitt is under intense scrutiny over the cost of his travel, including numerous first-class and charter flights at the expense of taxpayers. Last week, he blamed the "very toxic environment politically" and security decisions for his expensive flights. Per The Post, Pruitt was slated to arrive in Israel on Sunday and stay at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem until Thursday for state business.

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