A U.S. House Committee whose members include Oklahoma Congressmen Frank Lucas and Jim Bridenstine has followed through with a threat to subpoena attorneys general in two states and environmental groups in their climate change probe of Exxon.
Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the subpoenas to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and eight environmental groups. The groups and Schneiderman and Healy have refused to submit documents in what the House Committee contends is “coordinate efforts to deprive companies, nonprofit organizations, scientists and scholars of their First Amendment rights.’
It all began when the attorneys general of several states announced their own investigation of climate change documents from Exxon.
“The attorneys general have appointed themselves to decide what is valid and what is invalid regarding climate change,” stated Rep. Smith. “The attorneys general are pursuing a political agenda at the expense of scientists’ right to free speech.”
He said the House Committee has a responsibility to protect the First Amendment rights of the companies, scientists and the nonprofits.
“Unfortunately the attorneys general have refused to give the committee the information to which it is entitled. What are they hiding? And why?” asked Smith.