{"articles":[{"reaction_config":[{"text":"Support","color":"#2ca788","stance":"support"},{"text":"Oppose","color":"#ef3e42","stance":"oppose"}],"id":34497,"title":"House Oversight Committee Launches Ethics Probe Into Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao","html_content":"

by Axios | 9.16.19

The House Oversight Committee on Monday launched an ethics investigation into Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.

The big picture: Reports allege Chao has used her position to benefit Foremost Group, a shipping company owned by her sisters and father. Chao is also accused of continuing to own stock in a construction company called Vulcan even after claiming before her confirmation that she would divest. Federal law prohibits sitting officials from using their positions to privately benefit themselves or others.

According to a letter from Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), the investigation will probe decisions by the Department of Transportation to de-prioritize or reduce funding for programs that benefited U.S.-flagged vessels in foreign trade. Chao's family company owns entirely foreign-flagged ships.
Chao is also accused of trying to elevate the company's influence with the Chinese government. Chao appeared in Chinese-media interviews alongside her father, James Chao, who boasted about his access to President Trump, according to Politico.

What they're saying:

“The Committee is examining your misstatements of fact, your actions that may have benefited the company in which you continued to hold shares, and your compliance with ethics and financial disclosure requirements.” --Cummings and Krishnamoorthi

What's next: Chao has until Sept. 30 to turn over documents and communications related to the committee's lines of inquiry.

Go deeper: 70% of Americans believe the political system is rigged

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