"Lamar Smith Hearing Attempts to Bolster Legal Argument for Subpoenas"

"House Science committee hears three witnesses arguing subpoenas of NY and Mass. attorney generals are justified; opponents argue they are a shield for Exxon."

"Rep. Lamar Smith argued on Wednesday that not only does his House Science committee have the authority to subpoena two state attorneys general investigating ExxonMobil, but a constitutional obligation to ensure that science isn't being undermined by such investigations.

But while the committee hearing was ostensibly to address the constitutional issues of Smith's subpoenas, it served as a showcase for scholarly disagreements and political divides.

Looming over the 2½-hour hearing were the questions of whether the committee was abusing its oversight authority to defend the oil and gas industry—and Exxon—against legitimate probes by New York's Eric Schneiderman and Massachusetts' Maura Healey, or whether it was standing up to attempts to suppress dissenting views on climate change."

David Hasemyer reports for InsideClimate News September 14, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"A ‘Red Scare’ Tactic Or Standing Up For Exxonmobil On Climate Change?" (Washington Post)

"Does Congress Have Authority To Subpoena Ags Over Climate Change?" (FuelFix)

"Climate Science ‘Skeptic’ Lamar Smith Claims to Aid Scientists in Latest Crusade" (Texas Observer)

"Constitutional Scholars Object to Lamar Smith's Exxon Subpoenas" (InsideClimate News)

"Is There a Legal Precedent for Fighting Lamar Smith Subpoenas? Try 1960" (InsideClimate News)

"From Science Committee Perch, Rep. Lamar Smith Attacks Climate Science" (Austin American-Statesman)

"Smith Claims Right To Demand NY Climate-Change Documents" (USA TODAY)

"Environmental Groups Pushback on Exxon-Related Subpoenas" (350.org release)

"The #ExxonKnew Hearing Was Perfectly On Brand For Congress Right Now" (Think Progress)

"House Science Hearing On ExxonMobil And Subpoenas: What You Should Know" (Huffington Post)

"House Science Committee Holds Hearing on Its Own Authority: Chairman Smith Circles the Wagons" (Union of Concerned Scientists)