House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has initiated an investigation into the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The inquiry focuses on the National Academies’ decision to conduct a rapid review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rescinding of its 2009 Endangerment Finding without authorization from any U.S. government agency.
In a letter addressed to Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences, Comer requested documents and communications related to the expedited review and questioned whether there was partisan bias in the process.
“The National Academies, without any apparent request from a U.S. Government agency or entity, announced on August 7 that it would conduct a fast-tracked review of evidence gathered since 2009 for whether greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare, and pledged to complete and publicly release its report in September. In 1863, Congress established the National Academy of Sciences as a federally chartered corporation to provide independent, objective advice on science for the United States Government at its request,” wrote Chairman Comer. “This decision appears to be inconsistent with the purpose of the National Academies and a blatant partisan act to undermine the Trump Administration. With such an unprecedented short timeline for reviewing evidence gathered over a 16-year period, the Committee is additionally concerned that the results of this study have been predetermined.”
The 2009 Endangerment Finding classified greenhouse gas emissions as pollutants subject to federal regulation. This finding has served as a basis for regulations affecting vehicles, aircraft, agricultural equipment, and fossil fuel producers. According to Comer’s letter, these rules—including mandates related to electric vehicles—have resulted in costs exceeding $1 trillion and increased energy expenses for consumers.
Comer expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest among members of the committee conducting the review. He noted that under federal law—the Federal Advisory Committee Act—such conflicts must be disclosed but alleged they were not. The House Oversight Committee is investigating whether private donors with strong views on climate change influenced this study due to lack of authorization from federal agencies.
“The Committee is concerned that this study is being conducted with partisan aims in mind, as the National Academy of Sciences has made several questionable decisions in past years while under [Ms. McNutt’s] leadership, exposing potential partisan bias. In 2021, the organization endorsed President Biden’s selection for his Top Science Advisor, despite his history of failing to disclose conflicts of interest and understating the contributions of his colleagues in developing a biotechnology. The organization has also conducted politicized DEI-focused research and studies. Members of the committee conducting this fast-tracked study have also shown partisan bias,” concluded Chairman Comer. “Given these positions and affiliations, it is unlikely these individuals can conduct an impartial scientific review and the Committee has serious concerns that the National Academy of Sciences appears to be enabling the aforementioned partisan conflicts of interest.”
James Comer currently serves as U.S. Representative for Kentucky’s 1st district—a position he has held since replacing Ed Whitfield in 2016—and previously served in Kentucky’s state legislature from 2001 until 2012 (https://comer.house.gov/about). Born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1972, Comer resides in Tompkinsville (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C001108). He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor’s degree in science in 1993.
The full letter sent by Chairman Comer can be accessed online.
