House GOP accuses Energy Dept. of political

Posted: Dec 22, 2016

fired an employee for telling the truth to Congress, GOP lawmakers charged Tuesday, saying political appointees at the Energy Department were upset the woman backed a radiation program popular on Capitol Hill but which the department had planned to ax. Energy officials had hoped to cannibalize the money to fund global warming research... Dr. Metting was fired soon after the Oct. 16, 2014, briefing she delivered, and the House Science Committee says it has obtained documents showing the administration was upset at her for straying from pre-approved talking points. Findings from the Report: DOE management developed a scheme to withhold information from congressional staff. Dr. Noelle Metting was directed to omit information from a presentation to congressional staff given during the briefing. DOE management avoided critical information pertinent to the continuance of the LDRRP. DOE management worked to kill the LDRRP because it did not further the administration’s goals to advance climate research. With regard to H.R. 5544, DOE management sought to manipulate congressional staff – both republican and democratic staff. DOE management and senior employees gave intentionally misleading statements to Congress. Dr. Julie Carruthers and Dr. Sharlene Weatherwax both made inconsistent statements at different points during the Committee’s investigation. Management quickly took steps to remove Dr. Metting from federal and Constitutional separation of powers at an institutional level. service. Dr. Metting was removed for providing Congress with candid testimony without regard to the potential chilling effect on other scientists. Dr. Metting was the DOE’s sole expert on LDRR and her opinion was silenced to further political interests. Conclusions and Recommendations in the Report: The DOE exhibited a complete disregard for the legislative process The DOE must overhaul its management practices to ensure that the Department carries out its Constitutional responsibilities to be truthful with Congress and respects the legislative process. ;