The request is from Frank Pallone Jr., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform; Ron Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Finance; and Patty Murray, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
In a March 29 letter, the committee leaders cite a Politico report, which states that Ms. Verma “employs a team of private consultants who write her speeches, polish her brand and travel with her across the country.”
Contracts and subcontracts approved by Ms. Verma reportedly included a $2.25 million contract with Porter Novelli, an international public relations firm.
“Our committees have long-standing interests in ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and that funds are spent on advancing agency initiatives — not for the personal benefit of agency political leaders and their well-connected associates,” the committee leaders wrote.
They asked the inspector general to review whether Ms. Verma’s actions regarding the contracts complied with federal regulations and ethics requirements.
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