"Lamar Smith Seeks to Affirm Exxon Climate Subpoenas With Hearing"

"Republican Congressman plans to discuss the constitutionality of his subpoenas of state attorneys general with three hand-picked witnesses."

"The chairman of the House Science Committee has announced a hearing next month into the refusal by two state attorneys general to comply with subpoenas seeking information on their investigations into ExxonMobil.

Rep. Lamar Smith, Republican from Texas, said on Tuesday the inquiry will focus on whether Congress has authority to issue subpoenas to the New York and Massachusetts attorneys general investigating the oil giant for misleading investors on climate change. It will also discuss what recourse the committee has if the the two AGs choose not to comply.  

Among the Republican majority witnesses to testify at the Sept. 14 hearing will be two law professors with connections to think tanks funded by the fossil fuel industry and who have been critical of the attorneys general. The third is a liberal law scholar and professor who has frequently testified before Congress. The Democrats on the committee have yet to name a minority witness."

David Hasemyer reports for InsideClimate News August 31, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Conservative Think Tank Sues New York Attorney General Over Exxon Documents" (InsideClimate News)