"The head of a House appropriations subcommittee that oversees the Interior Department threatened to investigate the use of National Park Service entrance fee funds to pay for a July 4 celebration on the National Mall.

House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) questioned Interior’s spending $2.5 million in park entrance fees on President Donald Trump’s July 4 “Salute to America” event on the National Mall, which will display heavy military tanks and have a ticketed viewing area for White House guests.

The Interior Department declined to confirm the $2.5 million figure, but spokeswoman Molly Block said via email July 3: “The Department of the Interior is committed to providing the American people a fantastic celebration of our nation’s birthday. We are doing so consistent with the Department’s mission and historical practices.”"

Bobby Magill reports for Bloomberg Environment July 3, 2019. [2]