House Republicans upped their pressure on 17 Democratic state attorneys general Monday who are waging a campaign against Exxon Mobil and conservative groups over climate change.
The coalition of Republicans on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee sent a round of letters to the attorneys general on Monday asking for all communication records and emails between them and climate activists. A similar letter was sent last month.
The House members want to show collaboration between the activists and states to set a political agenda, rather than an investigation based on a real legal argument.
Monday’s letters were also used to demonstrate Congress’ right to investigate state authorities when they believe the Constitution is being violated.
The Democratic attorneys general are investigating whether Exxon Mobil conspired to cover up research by its own scientists on the risks posed by global warming, based on articles published by Inside Climate News and others. Many scientists blame the greenhouse gases emitted from burning fossil fuels for driving manmade climate change.
It is a claim that the company adamantly denies. Exxon asked courts in Massachusetts and Texas last week to block one of the investigations by Attorney General Maura Healey of Massachusetts.
The attorneys general are also targeting groups that had a relationship with the oil giant, like free-market think tank Competitive Enterprise Institute, which is also fighting the AGs in court. The D.C. Superior Court could decide as soon as next Tuesday on the think tank’s motion to apply sanctions against Claude Walker, the attorney general for the U.S. Virgin Islands, who had subpoenaed CEI’s records.
The committee sent its first round of letters in May “raising concerns about their efforts to criminalize scientific dissent,” the committee said. “These elected officials’ actions run counter to an attorney general’s duty to serve “as the guardian of the legal rights of the citizens” and to “assert, protect and defend the rights of the people.”
Several attorneys general responded to the letters by questioning the committee’s jurisdiction in the matter. The committee called the responses “unfounded.”
Monday’s letter argues that Congress’ investigative powers are rooted in the Constitution and the committee has jurisdiction over environmental research and development.
“Concerns about the far-reaching legal actions of the attorneys general are widespread,” the committee says. It notes that Republican AGs began firing back last week at the attorneys general, saying their actions undermine public trust and threaten free speech.
“The committee intends to continue its vigorous oversight of the coordinated attempt to deprive companies, nonprofit organizations and scientists of their First Amendment rights and ability to fund and conduct scientific research free from intimidation and threats of prosecution … the committee requests that you provide the documents and information previously requested in our May 18, 2016, letter,” states Monday’s letter.
