"Constitutional Scholars Object to Lamar Smith's Exxon Subpoenas"

"Letter from nine legal scholars says Rep. Smith's subpoenas of state attorneys general and organizations were 'invalid and constitutionally impermissible.'"

"A number of high-profile legal scholars have come to the defense of two state attorneys general and eight organizations in their refusal to comply with Congressional subpoenas seeking information related to investigations of ExxonMobil.  

As part of an escalating confrontation between Rep. Lamar Smith and those spurring the investigations of Exxon in connection with its stance on climate change, the Texas Republican had hit the officials and non-governmental groups with subpoenas in July.

In a blunt letter Monday to Smith, the chairman of the House science committee, nine constitutional law scholars condemned the subpoenas as unlawful, unenforceable and "misguided." The letter was sent in advance of a Wednesday committee hearing on the issue."

David Hasemyer reports for InsideClimate News September 12, 2016.