Thompson to Watchdog: Investigate Party White House Billed to DHS
(WASHINGTON) – Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to request that his office investigate a ceremony held at the White House on October 12 to celebrate the nomination of Kirstjen Nielson to be Secretary of Homeland Security. According to media reports, the White House subsequently billed DHS $8,000 for the party.
In the letter, Congressman Thompson writes:
I find it hard to understand how a cocktail reception with corporate lobbyists benefits DHS’s mission, particularly at a time when many parts of the country, especially Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are reeling from the effects of devastating hurricanes. I also find it troubling that the party was held in the East Room, a space traditionally reserved for press conferences and meetings with world leaders, not cocktail hours with representatives of special interests. It is critically important now, more than ever, to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Link to letter
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