House Republican demands SEC turn over ESG documents

A top House Republican is threatening to subpoena the Securities and Exchange Commission for any documents about U.S. involvement in crafting European Union environmental, social and governance regulations that GOP lawmakers say harm American businesses.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer expressed concern to SEC Chairman Gary Gensler in a letter Thursday that the agency is trying to “stonewall” the Republican panel’s investigation into whether the U.S. cooperated with the EU on its climate directives.

Republican lawmakers, including Comer and Tim Scott, the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, have charged that EU policies to counter climate change harm U.S. companies that do business in Europe.

Unless the SEC produces documents by next Thursday, Comer warned, “I will consider other measures, including the use of the compulsory process, to gain compliance.”

Last month, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry also threatened to subpoena the SEC over documents he asserted the agency has failed to produce.

Related Topics: House Oversight Committee, Securities and Exchange Commission