Congress Wants Receipts for Jennifer Granholm’s Spring Break Trip to Puerto Rico

Energy Secretary’s Frequent Trips to Puerto Rico Raise Concerns

Lawmakers are demanding answers from Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm about her numerous official trips to Puerto Rico. She has visited the island at least five times in the last four months, and the frequency and duration of these trips have raised concerns about her focus during a global energy crisis.

Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have sent a letter to Granholm asking for more details on her travel. The Washington Free Beacon reported last month that Granholm had taken a weeklong visit in February and another over spring break.

“The frequency and duration of these trips raise concerns regarding your attention to your other duties, particularly in light of climbing energy costs and intensifying threats to the United States’ energy independence,” said House Energy and Commerce chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R., Wash.) and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R., Va.), chairman of the subcommittee on oversight in a letter to Granholm on Tuesday.

The lawmakers have asked Granholm to provide an “itemized list of expenses incurred during the duration of your travels for yourself and all accompanying staff,” as well as a “list of official activities and meetings undertaken during your travels and all accompanying meeting minutes.”

While the Department of Energy has defended the trip, stating that Granholm is focused on helping to modernize Puerto Rico’s struggling power grid, which was significantly damaged after Hurricane Maria in 2017, McMorris Rodgers and Griffith question whether her frequent and extended presence is critical to these activities.

One former DOE official told the Free Beacon that Granholm’s March trip alone could have “easily cost the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars between the advance teams, security, support staff, and more.”

“Unless Granholm is there installing the solar panels herself, there is no reason for her to be on the ground for that long,” the former official added.

In addition to the U.S. island, the congressional letter asked about Granholm’s trips to France, Australia, Mexico, and Singapore last year. The lawmakers requested the records from Granholm by May 8.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm’s frequent trips to Puerto Rico have raised eyebrows among lawmakers. She has visited the island at least five times in the last four months, and the duration and frequency of these trips have sparked concerns about her focus during a global energy crisis.

Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have written to Granholm, asking for more information about her travel. The Washington Free Beacon reported last month that Granholm had taken a weeklong visit in February and another over spring break.

House Energy and Commerce chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R., Wash.) and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R., Va.), chairman of the subcommittee on oversight, have expressed their concerns about Granholm’s attention to her other duties, particularly in light of rising energy costs and threats to the United States’ energy independence.

The lawmakers have asked Granholm to provide an itemized list of expenses incurred during her travels, as well as a list of official activities and meetings undertaken during her trips. While the Department of Energy has defended the trips, stating that Granholm is focused on helping to modernize Puerto Rico’s struggling power grid, McMorris Rodgers and Griffith question whether her frequent and extended presence is critical to these activities.

One former DOE official has estimated that Granholm’s March trip alone could have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. “Unless Granholm is there installing the solar panels herself, there is no reason for her to be on the ground for that long,” the former official added.

The lawmakers have also asked about Granholm’s trips to France, Australia, Mexico, and Singapore last year. They have requested the records from Granholm by May 8.