In context, CEI’s “fight for free speech” means fight for perpetuating anti-science climate change denial. Little surprise there.
And then there’s the issue of the “coalition of 47 other groups.” That sounds impressive, but as it turns out, essentially every single one of the 47 groups is Koch-affiliated. 43 of the 47 groups that signed on the letter defending climate change denial are Koch linked — and 28 of the organizations are either Koch front groups or the beneficiaries of regular Koch funding.
We know Charles and David love feigning grassroots support for their selfish agenda, but this is just ridiculous.
Koch Front Groups
- 60 Plus Association
- Americans for Prosperity
- American Commitment
- Heartland
- Independent Women’s Forum
- Independent Women’s Voice
Regular Koch Funding Recipients
- American Legislative Exchange Council
- Americans for Tax Reform
- American Conservative Union
- Beacon Center of Tennessee
- Center Against Government Waste
- Ethan Allen Institute
- Georgia Center for Opportunity
- Georgia Public Policy Foundation
- Foundation for Government Accountability
- Freedom Foundation
- Freedom Foundation of Minnesota
- FreedomWorks
- Frontiers of Freedom
- James Madison Institute
- John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy
- John Locke Foundation
- Mississippi Center for Public Policy
- Montana Policy Institute
- National Taxpayers Union
- Nevada Policy Research Institute
- Pelican Institute for Public Policy
- Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity
- Rio Grande Foundation
Koch Network Members
- Advance Arkansas Institute
- California Policy Center
- Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy
- Center for Freedom and Prosperity
- Center for Individual Freedom
- Center of the American Experiment
- Civitas Institute
- Hispanic Leadership Fund
- Institute for Liberty
- Liberty Foundation of America
- Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
- R Street Institute
- Taxpayers Protection Alliance
- TechFreedom
- Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty
Background:
Competitive Enterprise Institute Subpoena
AFP Signed Onto A Letter That Called The Investigation Into The Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Climate Change Denial An “Affront To Free Speech.” According to Americans for Prosperity, “On behalf of the undersigned groups, and the millions of Americans we represent, we write to you today to show our support for the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI). Last month, CEI received a subpoena from U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General (AG) Claude Walker. AG Walker is part of a group called ‘AG’s United for Clean Power’ The group is made up of 15 state AGs and the AG of the District of Columbia. The subpoena tried to force CEI to hand over all communications between 1997 and 2007 on climate change. AG Walker eventually withdrew his subpoena, but this type of heavy-handed tactic is an affront to free speech.” [Americans for Prosperity, 6/1/16]
- American Commitment President Phil Kerpen Signed A Letter In Support Of The Competitive Enterprise Institute In Light Of A Subpoena Issued By U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Claude Walker For Communications Related To Climate Change. According to a letter addressed to Competitive Enterprise Institute president Kent Lassman, “On behalf of the undersigned groups, and the millions of Americans we represent, we write to you today to show our support for the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI). Last month, CEI received a subpoena from U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General (AG) Claude Walker. […] The subpoena tried to force CEI to hand over all communications between 1997 and 2007 on climate change. […] Sincerely, […] Phil Kerpen, President[;] American Commitment” [Americans for Prosperity, 6/1/16]
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Requested That U.S. Virgin Islands AG Claude Walker Be Fined For Threatening To Subpoena Documents Related To CEI’s Climate Change Policy Advocacy After Abandoning A More Imminent Subpoena. According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute, “The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) today asked the District of Columbia Superior Court to fine U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Claude E. Walker (AG Walker) for violating the organization’s First Amendment rights under the District of Columbia’s Anti-SLAPP law, and for attorneys’ fees and other sanctions. According to an email from AG Walker’s attorney received by CEI late Friday, May 13, AG Walker plans to abandon his D.C. subpoena legal action demanding a decade’s worth of CEI’s work on climate policy within ‘the next 5 court days,’ but also threatens to bring a new lawsuit at any time to enforce the subpoena. […] The subpoena requests a decade’s worth of communications, emails, statements, drafts, and other documents regarding CEI’s work on climate change and energy policy, including private donor information dating from January 1, 1997 to January 1, 2007.” [Competitive Enterprise Institute, 5/16/16]
- CEI Contended That Walker’s Plan To Abandon A Subpoena For CEI Documents Within “The Next 5 Court Days” While Threatening To Issue A New Subpoena Inflicted “Constitutional Damage.” According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute, “According to an email from AG Walker’s attorney received by CEI late Friday, May 13, AG Walker plans to abandon his D.C. subpoena legal action demanding a decade’s worth of CEI’s work on climate policy within ‘the next 5 court days,’ but also threatens to bring a new lawsuit at any time to enforce the subpoena. This means that regardless of AG Walker’s latest plan, the subpoena still exists. CEI contends that it should never have been issued and the constitutional damage it inflicted needs to be righted.” [Competitive Enterprise Institute, 5/16/16]
- CEI President Kent Lassman Called Walker’s Ongoing Threat To Issue A Subpoena For CEI Documents “An Unconstitutional Abomination.” According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute, “CEI President Kent Lassman said: ‘Mr. Walker’s attempt to silence us and others who share our views is an unconstitutional abomination. CEI will not sit still with this illegal threat hanging over our head, which is why we are asking the court to fine AG Walker and end his abuse of the legal process to intimidate CEI.’” [Competitive Enterprise Institute, 5/16/16]
- CEI General Counsel Sam Kazman Called Walker’s Ongoing Threat To Issue A Subpoena For CEI Documents “An Outrageous Violation” Of CEI’s First Amendment Rights. According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute, “CEI General Counsel Sam Kazman said: ‘Attorney General Walker’s subpoena of us is an outrageous violation of our First Amendment rights, and its sole purpose is to shut down debate. Mr. Walker’s statement that he will end his D.C. court action, but may launch a new one whenever the mood strikes him, is the height of arrogance and demonstrates that he still doesn’t recognize the harm he has unlawfully inflicted.’” [Competitive Enterprise Institute, 5/16/16]
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Placed A Full Page Color Advertisement— An Open Letter With 43 Signers, Including AFP— In The New York Times. According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute, “Today the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) placed a full page color advertisement in The New York Times defending every American’s right to free speech. The advertisement, which is an open letter from 43 signers–organizations, legal experts, and individuals—is a response to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Claude Walker, and a coalition of other ‘AGs United for Clean Power’ investigating more than 100 businesses, nonprofits, and private individuals who question their positions on climate change.” Signers included AFP president Tim Phillips. [Competitive Enterprise Institute, 5/18/16]
- CEI Ad: The “AGs United For Clean Power” Coalition’s Investigation Of Groups And Individuals “Who Question Their Positions On Climate Change” Was An Unacceptable Abuse Of Power Which Was Unlawful And Un-American. According to a document on the Competitive Enterprise Institute website, “The right to speak out is among the most fundamental principles of American democracy. It should never be taken away. Yet, around the country, a group of state attorneys general have launched a misguided effort to silence the views and voices of those who disagree with them. Recently, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Claude Walker, and a coalition of other ‘AGs United for Clean Power’ announced an investigation of more than 100 businesses, nonprofits, and private individuals who question their positions on climate change. This abuse of power is unacceptable. It is unlawful. And it is un-American.’ Signers included AFP president Tim Phillips. [Competitive Enterprise Institute, 5/17/16]
The Attorney General Of The U.S. Virgin Islands Served The Competitive Enterprise Institute A Subpoena In April 2016, Related To An Investigation Into ExxonMobil “Engaging In Conduct Misrepresenting Its Knowledge Of The Likelihood That Its Products And Activities” Contribute To Climate Change. According to a subpoena served to the Competitive Enterprise Institute by U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general Claude Earl Walker, “ExxonMobil is suspected to have engaged in, or be engaging in, conduct constituting a civil violation of the Criminally Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 14 V.I.C. § 605, by having engaged or engaging in conduct misrepresenting its knowledge of the likelihood that its products and activities have contributed and are continuing to contribute to Climate Change in order to defraud the Government of the United States Virgin Islands (‘the Government’) and consumers in the Virgin Islands, in violation of 14 V.I.C.§ 834 (prohibiting obtaining money by false pretenses) and 14 V.I.C. § 551 (prohibiting conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses).” [Superior Court of the District of Columbia, 4/4/16]