Two environmental groups backing investigations into ExxonMobil and conservative think tanks by some states attorneys general are furious they’ve been threatened with a subpoena by federal lawmakers.
Greenpeace and 350.org activists were so mad with House Republicans they sent a letter back demanding lawmakers disclose their ties to Exxon, other oil companies and conservtive think tanks. Activists also argued, rather ironically, such requests violate their First Amendment rights.
“As we have explained in detail in our prior letters to the Committee, the Committee’s requests violate basic First Amendment protections, fall outside the proper jurisdiction of the Committee, and are impermissibly vague, overbroad, and burdensome,” Greenpeace and 350.org wrote to Texas Republican Rep. Lamar Smith, the chairman of the House science committee.
Environmentalists are reacting to previous letters sent to them by Smith and his colleagues, asking activists to voluntarily turn over communications regarding state attorneys general investigations into Exxon’s global warming stance.
Last week, Smith threatened to use his committee’s subpoena power to compel Greenpeace, 350.org and other environmental groups to turn over documents related to the Exxon probe. Smith also requested documents from state AG offices investigating Exxon.
