(Washington, D.C.) – Today, 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 to Dr. Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), requesting information related to NASEM’s Committee on Attribution of Extreme Weather and Climate Events and Their Impacts (“the Attribution Committee”).
In the letter, the Chairmen express concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving members of the Attribution Committee, stating that “publicly available information suggests a troubling pattern” in which committee members are affiliated with nonprofits that support climate accountability lawsuits, “raising the appearance of impropriety and member bias.”
They emphasize that “taxpayer-funded and government-sponsored science is objective, transparent, and free from conflicts that could compromise its integrity,” and warn that these relationships raise questions about NASEM’s adherence to its own policies.
The letter also highlights concerns about NASEM’s conflict-of-interest and committee composition policies, particularly changes made in January 2025. While financial conflicts may disqualify members, the Chairmen note that non-financial conflicts—such as professional or legal affiliations—“need only be disclosed, with no protocol for mitigation,” which may undermine impartiality and public trust.
Additionally, the Chairmen question whether the Attribution Committee reflects an appropriate “range of perspectives,” and whether members can be “objective and open-minded in addressing the issues before it,” as required by NASEM policy.
The letter further points to concerns related to transparency, including limited public access to committee meetings, and raises questions about safeguards against potential sponsor influence.
To assess these issues, the Chairmen request detailed information on NASEM’s policies, committee selection process, and records related to the Attribution Committee’s formation and activities. They also ask that NASEM retain all relevant documents and respond by May 8, 2026.
To read the full letter, please click here.