Comer, Norman, Oversight Republicans Expose Democrats’ Partisan Investigation into Oil and Gas Companies

Democrats cancel hearing after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shows importance of U.S. energy production

WASHINGTON — Today, House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.), Subcommittee on the Environment Ranking Member Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), and Oversight Republicans sent a letter to Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) urging Democrats to cease their baseless, partisan investigation into oil and gas companies and immediately convene a hearing with Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to learn the Biden Administration’s plan to lower energy costs for the American people and protect U.S. national security interests.

“We have questioned the ‘motivation and legitimacy of your inquiries’ into the oil and gas industry since the investigation began,” wrote the lawmakers. “The tactics used by Committee Democrats validate our concerns, including issuing unnecessary subpoenas to entities fully cooperating with your investigation … we call on you to stop your baseless investigation and instead require the Department of Energy Secretary testify before the House Oversight and Reform Committee. Her testimony is critical to understand what, if anything, the Administration is doing to lower energy prices for Americans and ceasing reliance on Russian oil and gas.”

Since August 2021, Oversight Republicans have questioned the legitimacy of the Democrats’ investigation and remain concerned about their tactics and abuse of the Committee’s subpoena power to appease their radical, Green New Deal supporters. Now, Americans are facing skyrocketing energy prices and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shown the importance of maintaining a strong production of American-made oil and gas. Democrats’ abrupt decision to cancel a scheduled upcoming hearing with oil and gas executives reveals their pursuits were motivated all along by political theater rather than a search for the truth.          

“When the geopolitical reality finally became apparent to Committee Democrats—after months of attacking the industry and encouraging them to decrease production—you abruptly canceled the March 8 hearing because it is no longer politically expedient to vilify companies that have always been crucial to maintaining our national security,” continued the lawmakers. “What changed about the urgency to hold this hearing other than Russia’s invasion of Ukraine showing the importance of domestic oil and gas production? Threatening witnesses with compulsory testimony, one of the most powerful tools bestowed upon the Committee, is an action that should not be taken lightly. It is shameful that the power of the Oversight and Reform Committee is being used for such obvious political purposes. Now that the true motivations of your investigation have been exposed, we urge you to hold hearings that focus on the needs of the American people. This Committee must return to conducting legitimate oversight instead of playing political games at a time when the stakes are so high.”

The letter to Chairwoman Maloney can be found here.