House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin, along with Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Rich McCormick and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Scott Franklin, sent a letter on Apr. 17 to Dr. Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), seeking details about NASEM’s recent report on Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases and U.S. Climate: Evidence and Impacts.
The request is significant because it raises questions about the transparency and objectivity of scientific advice provided to Congress. The letter emphasizes that Congress depends on NASEM for unbiased input free from outside influence.
In their correspondence, the Chairmen said that “Congress has long relied on NASEM precisely because it is expected to operate free from political influence, financial entanglements, or institutional bias.” They added that “when those standards are compromised—or appear to be compromised—the value of NASEM’s advice to policymakers and the public is correspondingly diminished.”
The committee leaders raised concerns regarding how quickly the Greenhouse Gases Committee was formed after the Environmental Protection Agency proposed rescinding its 2009 Endangerment Finding. They noted that NASEM itself acknowledged “the impetus for this report was a notice of proposed rulemaking issued in August 2025 by the [EPA],” with a “fast-track[ed]” report produced within weeks reaffirming the Endangerment Finding.
Further concerns were expressed about whether sufficient transparency and independence were maintained during this process given potential reliance on private funding sources. The letter also highlighted structural issues stemming from NASEM’s exemption from requirements under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which allows it to avoid certain transparency rules faced by other federal advisory committees—a point relevant as special interest groups have challenged similar reports citing FACA compliance issues.
Additionally, recent incidents involving undisclosed conflicts of interest in work affiliated with NASEM were cited as evidence for reviewing conflict-of-interest safeguards within such studies. The letter asks for detailed records regarding communications with federal agencies, funding sources—including private donations—and processes related to committee assembly and study initiation. A response is requested by May 1.
Rich McCormick is currently serving in Congress representing Georgia’s 6th district after defeating Bob Christian in a general election where he won nearly two-thirds of votes according to official results. He replaced Lucy McBath in 2023 according to Ballotpedia. Born in Las Vegas in 1968 and now living in Suwanee at age 54 as reported by House.gov, McCormick graduated from Oregon State University with a BS degree in 1990 before earning another degree at National University twenty years later.
