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House Democrats sent a letter to the Trump administration Monday demanding information about the task forces established by the president to reduce burdensome government regulations.

The letter points to a report that found the task forces have been operating "largely out of public view and often by political appointees with deep industry ties and political conflicts."

Democrats are demanding Mick Mulvaney, who runs the Office of Management and Budget, produce a long list of information about the task forces.

"Simply put, it is unacceptable for federal agencies to operate in such a clandestine and unaccountable manner, especially when the result could be the undoing of critical public health and safety provisions," Rep. Elijah Cummings, of Maryland, who is the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, wrote along with three other party lawmakers who serve on related panels.

The Democrats are demanding Mulvaney provide specific documents and information related to the work of the task force groups, including a list of the names, titles and organizations of every member of each task force and all documents and communications by non-government employees participating on the task forces.

Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 24 ordering each agency to establish a task force aimed at reducing "the regulatory burden placed on the American people."

Democrats said the composition of the task forces need scrutiny.

In one instance, the Environmental Protection Agency task force includes the wife of a top oil company lobbyist.

Some of the agencies have refused to provide a list of task force members, the Democrats noted.

"Withholding the names and titles of task force participants may also violate the Freedom of Information Act," the letter said.

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Democrats demand information on Trump regulation reduction - Washington Examiner