Democratic lawmakers ask for IG investigation into how airlines used COVID relief funding

Democratic lawmakers are asking the U.S. Treasury Department to launch a federal investigation into how airlines used federal COVID funding from 2020. 

In a letter to the deputy inspector general of the department, Reps. Carolyn Maloney and James Clyburn requested a review, including whether any of the money was used for buyouts or staff reductions.

"We are concerned that some airlines have used federal funds obtained during the pandemic to provide buyouts and early retirement packages for pilots, which may be exacerbating a shortage of commercial pilots," the pair wrote....