HHS Secretary Tom Price Resigns Over Air Travel Scandal

What’s the story?

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price has resigned amid scrutiny of the chartering of private jets and military aircraft to fulfill his cabinet duties. His flights, domestically and internationally, have cost taxpayers upwards of a $1 million dollars since his confirmation.

Price announced Thursday that he would reimburse the government for the "cost of his seat" on the flights and that he regretted “the concerns this has raised regarding the use of taxpayer dollars”. That must not have been enough to satisfy the president, who was publicly ambivalent on Price’s future after the scandal broke.

President Donald Trump accepted Price’s resignation on Friday. The White House states that Deputy Assistant Secretary Don Wright will serve as acting secretary, per the Washington Post. The administration will need to put a new nominee forward to take over the post permanently who will have to go through the confirmation process.

What do you think?

Was this the right move by the administration? Should this be the end of it, or should other cabinet members be called to task for their use of private jets at taxpayer expense?

Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!

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— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: Mark Taylor via Flickr / Creative Commons)