Fresh revelations about HHS Secretary Tom Price’s travel came just hours after the embattled Cabinet member said he would pay back his portion of charter flights. | Andrew Harnik/AP Photo
Tom Price says he will pay up for his use of expensive, chartered aircrafts. But the revelations about the Health and Human Services secretary’s use of expensive travel just keep coming.
“The White House approved the use of military aircraft for multi-national trips by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price to Africa and Europe this spring, and to Asia in the summer, at a cost of more than $500,000 to taxpayers,” POLITICO’s Rachana Pradahan and Dan Diamond report.
Price’s wife, Betty, accompanied him on the flights — even as other members of Price’s delegation flew commercially.
Fresh revelations about Price’s travel came just hours after the embattled Cabinet member said he would pay back his portion of charter flights. Price’s move was part of an effort to tamp down a burgeoning controversy that has irritated President Donald Trump and led to an internal investigation.
“‘I regret the concerns this has raised regarding the use of taxpayer dollars,” Price said in a statement that promised to pay “for my seat on those planes.”
For his part, Trump has made his displeasure known — and left open the possibility that Price will pay with his job. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders didn’t lift the ambiguity today.
“As the president said yesterday, he’s not thrilled — certainly not happy with the actions,” White House press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.
Elsewhere in President Trump’s orbit:
HANDLE WITH CARE: Democratic Sen. Patty Murray and GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander are carefully working toward a bipartisan effort to stabilize Obamacare.
ON THE HUNT(SMAN): The Senate confirmed former Ambassador to China and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman to be the new U.S. ambassador to Moscow.
GOING HOME(LAND) AGAIN: The White House is said to be back to square one in its search for a new Homeland Security secretary after the first batch of candidates, including Texas GOP Rep. Mike McCaul, didn’t meet internal muster.
COHN OF WISDOM: White House economic adviser Gary Cohn says that the offer from Republicans is the final offer — unless Democrats want to agree to cut tax rates lower than Republicans have sketched out.
A WRAY OF ABSENCES: James Comey, President Trump and Robert Mueller all skipped Christopher Wray’s official swearing in as FBI Director.
MISSES JONES: President Trump waved a shipping restriction known as the Jones Act in an effort to speed recovery and relief efforts in Puerto Rico. (Washington Post)
CLEAR SKYS: The House passed a stopgap bill to fund the FAA, avoiding an emergency shutdown of the agency.
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN: Entertainment Weekly reports singer Rihanna criticized President Trump on Twitter today for not doing more to help Puerto Rico.
There you have it. You’re caught up on the Trump administration. TGIT.
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