D.C. Circuit Queries Reach Of Federal Ethics Rules On EPA Advisor Policy

摘要

Appellate judges at Feb. 19 oral argument queried EPA and environmentalists over whether federal ethics rules apply to a Trump administration directive barring agency-funded scientists from serving on EPA advisory panels, with two judges appearing divided on the issue while the third judge hearing the case asked few questions. "Under the Supreme Court's and our precedent, when an agency changes its policy it has to acknowledge the change and explain why it is changing it. . . . Where do I find that?" asked Judge David Tatel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit when querying Justice Department attorney Jeff Sandberg on the policy.