Description: Radio host's lawsuit to compel release of congressional records related to the House Oversight and Reform Committee’s investigation into alleged climate change misinformation campaign involving fossil fuel companies.
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Schilling v. Pelosi
Case Documents:
Filing Date Type File Action Taken Summary 10/03/2022 Memorandum Opinion Download Motion to dismiss granted. Federal Court Dismissed Lawsuit Seeking Congressional Records on Climate Change Hearings. The federal district court for the District of Columbia dismissed a lawsuit seeking to compel, under the common law right of access, the disclosure of emails and recordings related to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform’s investigation of energy companies and their business practices and research on fossil fuels. The court concluded that the request sought records “directly related” to preparation for hearings on climate legislation, that compelling disclosure would impede Congress’s investigatory function, and that the Speech or Debate Clause therefore prohibited the plaintiff’s inquiry. 01/24/2022 Complaint Download Complaint filed. Radio Host Sought to Compel Release of Congressional Records on Alleged Consultant Staffing for Investigation of Fossil Fuel Companies. A radio host filed a lawsuit in federal district court in the District of Columbia against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Clerk and Chief Administrative Office of the U.S. House of Representatives alleging that they violated his common law right of access to public records by failing to release records related to the House Oversight and Reform Committee’s investigation of what the Committee referred to as the “reported role of the fossil fuel industry in a long-running, industry-wide campaign to spread disinformation about the role of fossil fuels in causing global warming.” The plaintiff alleged that media reports said the investigation work was being conducted by consultants paid by private donors in violation of statute and House Rules. He alleged that he had requested records related to individuals who allegedly had been identified as providing assistance to the investigation. The plaintiff alleged that the defendants had not produced requested records or acknowledged his requests and sought both declaratory and mandamus or injunctive relief.