Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
The Government Accountability Office today sent a letter, released by U.S. Representatives Grijalva and Pallone, declaring the office is unable to issue a legal opinion on Zinke’s threats last year against Senators because of the Department of the Interior’s failure to cooperate with the investigation.
The letter was in response to an investigation requested by Reps. Grijalva and Pallone into threats Sec. Zinke made against Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan to punish Alaska in response to potential votes of opposition to healthcare repeal.
Today’s development fits another piece into the emerging picture of the culture of secrecy and obstructionism being cultivated by Sec. Zinke at Interior. It comes a day after Sierra Club filed suit to investigate the lack of transparency at DOI. And it follows previous investigations into Zinke’s unethical behavior that have been hindered by an utter lack of responsible record-keeping including reassignments of senior Interior staff and Zinke’s luxury travel on the taxpayer dime.
“It seems Sec. Zinke is purposefully trying to keep the public in the dark about major agency decisions and questionable personal behaviors. If Sec. Zinke feels the need to hide what he is doing, then he probably shouldn’t be doing it. He must be held accountable,” said Lena Moffitt, senior director of Sierra Club’s Our Wild America campaign.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.