Republicans probe law firm over its legal action against oil companies, links to top Biden official

Congressional Republicans are seeking answers from the California-based law firm Sher Edling over its legal action against oil and gas companies and a top Biden administration official's links to the group.

The inquiry is being made by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, and House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, a Kentucky Republican.

They sent a letter Monday to Sher Edling's partners Vic Sher and Matt Edling requesting information about the firm's relationship with Ann Carlson, acting administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. She previously worked as a consultant for Sher Edling.

The letter noted Carlson's involvement in rolling out new fuel efficiency standards for vehicles at 58 mpg. The Institute for Energy Research has estimated that the new standards would "save Americans a cumulative $50 billion in fuel costs over the long term, but consumers would incur up to $1,000 in upfront costs for vehicles and electric vehicles would be pushed onto consumers."

"It appears that Ms. Carlson has moved from attacking traditional energy through litigation to attacking it through regulation," the lawmakers wrote.

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio's foundation is among the liberal groups that have been linked to the firm, according to Fox News.

Cruz and Comer requested that the firm provide further details about its funding sources.

"While people may use their resources to bring whatever cases they want – even those that may be so frivolous as to be sanctionable – it appears that left-wing funds are footing the bill for Sher Edling’s climate crusade," the lawmakers wrote in the letter.