White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) senior official Mark Sandy arrived on Capitol Hill around 9:45 a.m. EST Saturday morning to testify about President Donald Trump's decision to freeze $400 million in military aid to Ukraine. Sandy's testimony is taking place behind closed doors with the three House Committees: Intelligence, Oversight and Reform, and Foreign Affairs, The Hill reported.
Although the Trump administration has wanted to keep officials from testifying, Sandy is the latest person who is defying White House orders and cooperating with the Democrats' congressional subpoenas.
"In light of an attempt by OMB to direct Mark Sandy not to appear for his scheduled deposition, and efforts to limit any testimony that does occur, the House Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena to compel his testimony," an official working on the impeachment inquiry told CNN. "As required of him by law, Mr. Sandy is complying with the subpoena and answering questions from both Democratic and Republican Members and staff."
Last month, senior Pentagon official Laura Cooper, who oversees Ukraine, said Sandy's name appeared at the bottom of an official memo informing officials of the decision to withhold aid. Since then, Democrats have wanted to hear directly from Sandy.
Sandy is the 17th person to provide a private deposition. Last week, Democrats held public hearings with Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent and former Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovich.
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