GOP wants answers from Consumer Report about suspected 'hidden pressure campaign' to end gas stoves

Two Capitol Hill Republicans want answers from the venerable "Consumer Reports" publication and others about a suspected "hidden pressure campaign" to get the Biden administration to advance green-energy groups' efforts to limit or end the use of gas appliances.

The effort is being led by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and House Oversight committee Chairman James Comer.

On Monday, the pair wrote to Rewiring America, the Climate Imperative Foundation and Consumer Reports demanding details on the product-review publication's possible role in getting the Consumer Product Safety Commission to impose a "de facto ban on gas stoves."

The lawmakers cited what they think is their authority to investigate "any matter" at "any time" under House Rule X and jurisdiction over the commission.

The letter also states that Cruz on March 16 "wrote to you requesting information and documents about this matter. Your organization has, however, refused to substantively answer most of those requests."

The letter continues: "As you know, CPSC has already taken the necessary first step toward a gas stove ban, having recently issued a Request for Information ‘on chronic hazards associated with gas ranges and proposed solutions." 

Comer and Cruz also told the groups their lack of transparency is "unacceptable" and gave them a deadline of no later than May 10 to submit requested documents and other information for the investigation.

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