A senior Democratic lawmaker is calling on Republicans to ramp up oversight of Trump administration officials’ use of private planes at taxpayer expense.

The Thursday letter from Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. Frank Joseph PallonePharma execs say FDA will not lower standards for coronavirus vaccine Dem chairmen urge CMS to prevent nursing homes from seizing stimulus payments Federal watchdog finds cybersecurity vulnerabilities in FCC systems MORE (N.J.), the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, to Chairman Greg Walden Gregory (Greg) Paul WaldenTrump order on drug prices faces long road to finish line Ignore the misinformation: The FDA will ensure the safety of any COVID-19 vaccine Hillicon Valley: Trump backs potential Microsoft, TikTok deal, sets September deadline | House Republicans request classified TikTok briefing | Facebook labels manipulated Pelosi video MORE (R-Ore.), calls for the panel to hold oversight hearings.

Pallone cites Tom Price Thomas (Tom) Edmunds PriceConspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention Coronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Chris Christie Trump flails as audience dwindles and ratings plummet MORE, who resigned as Health and Human Services Secretary following his extensive use of private planes for travel. He also points to reports of private jet travel by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt Edward (Scott) Scott PruittJuan Williams: Swamp creature at the White House Science protections must be enforceable Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE and Secretary of Energy Rick Perry Rick PerryOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump signs major conservation bill into law | Senate votes to confirm Energy's No. 2 official | Trump Jr. expresses opposition to Pebble Mine project Senate votes to confirm Energy's No. 2 official MORE.

ADVERTISEMENT

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke Ryan Keith ZinkeTrump extends Florida offshore drilling pause, expands it to Georgia, South Carolina Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention Trump flails as audience dwindles and ratings plummet MORE and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Steven Terner MnuchinShutdown clash looms after Democrats unveil spending bill Lawmakers fear voter backlash over failure to reach COVID-19 relief deal United Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE have also both made headlines over their reported travel expenses.

Pallone pointed to previous comments from Walden saying the committee would conduct oversight of the issue “as appropriate.”

“I request that you follow through with your stated intention to conduct oversight on this issue, including scheduling oversight hearings to examine why the aforementioned travel using non-commercial aircraft occurred and whether related taxpayer expenses were warranted,” Pallone wrote to Walden.

“American taxpayers deserve assurances that their tax dollars are not wasted by the government’s highest officials,” Pallone added. “As the Energy and Commerce Committee, we have an obligation to conduct active and responsible oversight of our agencies of jurisdiction.”