Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has said "fossil fuel companies that deceived investors and consumers about the dangers of climate change should be held accountable." (Photo: City Year/flickr/cc)
Jul 20, 2016
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) turned up the heat on ExxonMobil and its congressional accomplices on Wednesday, publicly and passionately coming to the defense of her state's attorney general, Maura Healey, in her ongoing fight to hold Big Oil accountable for climate crimes.
Healey and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, along with eight environmental organizations, were issued subpoenas last week by the head of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), seeking information and documents related to their ExxonKnew investigations.
As Inside Climate News reports:
The subpoena to the nongovernmental organizations seeks documents and communications related to dealings with any attorneys general or eight advocacy organizations. It specifically seeks records "relating to the investigation, subpoenas duces tecum, or potential prosecution of companies, nonprofit organizations, scientists, or other individuals related to the issue of climate change."
Smith's subpoena to the New York and Massachusetts attorneys general demands similar information but goes deeper by seeking records related to any interaction with various federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency or the Executive Office of the President.
The move was decried immediately as an oil-soaked "abuse of power," with green groups pointing to campaign contributions from fossil fuel corporations to members of the committee, and Healey explicitly stating she would not comply.
Warren, in a series of tweets on Wednesday, similarly blasted the congressional maneuver, which she painted as an example of Exxon wielding disproportionate influence over lawmakers:
\u201cWant to see how giant corporations rig the system? Look at what @exxonmobil is doing to intimidate @MassAGO to stop fraud investigation.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029703
\u201c.@MassAGO Maura Healey is investigating whether @exxonmobil broke state laws by knowingly misleading people about climate change.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029739
\u201cFirst @exxonmobil tried to stop @MassAGO by suing Healey in a TX court & attacking her integrity because she\u2019s doing her job.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029783
\u201cNow @exxonmobil got the Chair of the @HouseScience Committee \u2014 a TX Republican who has taken $675k from oil & gas \u2014 to subpoena @MassAGO.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029842
\u201cYup, that\u2019s right: House Republicans are interfering with a state AG\u2019s ongoing investigation of a company violating state law.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029908
\u201c.@LamarSmithTX21 says he \u201ctakes very seriously his obligation to uphold & defend the Constitution\u201d \u2014 but apparently not the 10th Amendment.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469030056
\u201cFor the @GOP, states\u2019 rights only apply for restricting voting rights or regulating women\u2019s bodies. Not investigating climate change fraud.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469030168
\u201cThis is an outrageous abuse of Congressional subpoena power to threaten a state AG and help a campaign contributor.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469030239
Warren concluded her tweet-storm with words of warning for Smith and ExxonMobil: "you picked a fight with the wrong state & the wrong AG."
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) turned up the heat on ExxonMobil and its congressional accomplices on Wednesday, publicly and passionately coming to the defense of her state's attorney general, Maura Healey, in her ongoing fight to hold Big Oil accountable for climate crimes.
Healey and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, along with eight environmental organizations, were issued subpoenas last week by the head of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), seeking information and documents related to their ExxonKnew investigations.
As Inside Climate News reports:
The subpoena to the nongovernmental organizations seeks documents and communications related to dealings with any attorneys general or eight advocacy organizations. It specifically seeks records "relating to the investigation, subpoenas duces tecum, or potential prosecution of companies, nonprofit organizations, scientists, or other individuals related to the issue of climate change."
Smith's subpoena to the New York and Massachusetts attorneys general demands similar information but goes deeper by seeking records related to any interaction with various federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency or the Executive Office of the President.
The move was decried immediately as an oil-soaked "abuse of power," with green groups pointing to campaign contributions from fossil fuel corporations to members of the committee, and Healey explicitly stating she would not comply.
Warren, in a series of tweets on Wednesday, similarly blasted the congressional maneuver, which she painted as an example of Exxon wielding disproportionate influence over lawmakers:
\u201cWant to see how giant corporations rig the system? Look at what @exxonmobil is doing to intimidate @MassAGO to stop fraud investigation.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029703
\u201c.@MassAGO Maura Healey is investigating whether @exxonmobil broke state laws by knowingly misleading people about climate change.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029739
\u201cFirst @exxonmobil tried to stop @MassAGO by suing Healey in a TX court & attacking her integrity because she\u2019s doing her job.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029783
\u201cNow @exxonmobil got the Chair of the @HouseScience Committee \u2014 a TX Republican who has taken $675k from oil & gas \u2014 to subpoena @MassAGO.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029842
\u201cYup, that\u2019s right: House Republicans are interfering with a state AG\u2019s ongoing investigation of a company violating state law.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029908
\u201c.@LamarSmithTX21 says he \u201ctakes very seriously his obligation to uphold & defend the Constitution\u201d \u2014 but apparently not the 10th Amendment.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469030056
\u201cFor the @GOP, states\u2019 rights only apply for restricting voting rights or regulating women\u2019s bodies. Not investigating climate change fraud.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469030168
\u201cThis is an outrageous abuse of Congressional subpoena power to threaten a state AG and help a campaign contributor.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469030239
Warren concluded her tweet-storm with words of warning for Smith and ExxonMobil: "you picked a fight with the wrong state & the wrong AG."
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) turned up the heat on ExxonMobil and its congressional accomplices on Wednesday, publicly and passionately coming to the defense of her state's attorney general, Maura Healey, in her ongoing fight to hold Big Oil accountable for climate crimes.
Healey and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, along with eight environmental organizations, were issued subpoenas last week by the head of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), seeking information and documents related to their ExxonKnew investigations.
As Inside Climate News reports:
The subpoena to the nongovernmental organizations seeks documents and communications related to dealings with any attorneys general or eight advocacy organizations. It specifically seeks records "relating to the investigation, subpoenas duces tecum, or potential prosecution of companies, nonprofit organizations, scientists, or other individuals related to the issue of climate change."
Smith's subpoena to the New York and Massachusetts attorneys general demands similar information but goes deeper by seeking records related to any interaction with various federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency or the Executive Office of the President.
The move was decried immediately as an oil-soaked "abuse of power," with green groups pointing to campaign contributions from fossil fuel corporations to members of the committee, and Healey explicitly stating she would not comply.
Warren, in a series of tweets on Wednesday, similarly blasted the congressional maneuver, which she painted as an example of Exxon wielding disproportionate influence over lawmakers:
\u201cWant to see how giant corporations rig the system? Look at what @exxonmobil is doing to intimidate @MassAGO to stop fraud investigation.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029703
\u201c.@MassAGO Maura Healey is investigating whether @exxonmobil broke state laws by knowingly misleading people about climate change.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029739
\u201cFirst @exxonmobil tried to stop @MassAGO by suing Healey in a TX court & attacking her integrity because she\u2019s doing her job.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029783
\u201cNow @exxonmobil got the Chair of the @HouseScience Committee \u2014 a TX Republican who has taken $675k from oil & gas \u2014 to subpoena @MassAGO.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029842
\u201cYup, that\u2019s right: House Republicans are interfering with a state AG\u2019s ongoing investigation of a company violating state law.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469029908
\u201c.@LamarSmithTX21 says he \u201ctakes very seriously his obligation to uphold & defend the Constitution\u201d \u2014 but apparently not the 10th Amendment.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469030056
\u201cFor the @GOP, states\u2019 rights only apply for restricting voting rights or regulating women\u2019s bodies. Not investigating climate change fraud.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469030168
\u201cThis is an outrageous abuse of Congressional subpoena power to threaten a state AG and help a campaign contributor.\u201d— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1469030239
Warren concluded her tweet-storm with words of warning for Smith and ExxonMobil: "you picked a fight with the wrong state & the wrong AG."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.