WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of nine senators on the Environment and Public Works Committee said on Tuesday the Trump administration is illegally withholding $3 billion in previously awarded funds to states for electric vehicle charging.

On Thursday, the U.S. Transportation Department said it was suspending the electric vehicle charging program and rescinding approval of state EV charging plans pending a new review.

The Democratic senators on the committee led by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said the action was in "blatant disregard of the law" and asked for any emails that would show if Trump advisor Elon Musk, who is also CEO of Tesla, was involved in the decision.