Carper Reiterates Calls for Trump Administration to Respond to Requests for Information

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) responded to continued media reports that White House officials have ordered federal agencies to ignore all requests for information from members of the Congressional minority. 

“This administration continues to work tirelessly to keep the American people in the dark on their day-to-day operations of the federal government. From  communicating on unofficial, unsecure devices, to holding off-the-books meetings, to suppressing the work of career staff in an attempt to mislead Congress, and refusing to properly address their conflicts of interest. This administration believes that it is somehow exempt from the basic requirements of transparency that come with representative government. Simply put, that’s not how this works. Mr. Trump and everyone in his administration work for the American people, and in everything they do, they are answerable to the American people. I will continue to press for this administration to show their work and report fully and accurately on what actions they are taking on our behalf.”

Last month, Senator Carper, who serves as ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation, joined his Senate colleagues who also serve in ranking member and caucus leadership positions in a letter to President Trump demanding he immediately clarify reports that the White House instructed some federal agencies to withhold information from Congressional Democrats.

The senators stated that any intentional attempts to obstruct transparency, accountability and information flow within the federal government on a partisan basis would be completely unacceptable and argued that withholding information severely inhibits Congress’ constitutional ability to legislate and conduct oversight. 

###