Free Republic

House Republicans want to launch investigations into a baseless claim that China and Russia unduly influence U.S. climate activism. Why it matters: Republicans are using this claim to seek donation information from climate groups and could potentially use subpoenas. Driving the news: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last week said that if elected House speaker, he’d support investigations into “environmental NGOs’ collusion with Russia and China to hurt American energy.” What they’re saying: Asked if he’ll subpoena environmental groups, incoming House Natural Resources chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) said: “If I need to, I will.” What we're hearing: Environmental groups...

I recently caught up with Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR), the current House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member. If Republicans retake the House in 2022, he’s expected to take the gavel from current chair Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ). Naturally, the avid angler phoned in from the 2021 Bassmaster Classic in Houston, TX, and said the event was a nice change of pace from D.C. “When I was a kid, I thought that was what my calling in life was: I was going to be a professional bass fisherman,” the lone registered forester in Congress recounted in an interview for Townhall.com. During...