January 1, House Probes Activist Group Swaying Judges

Wyatt’s Take

• House Judiciary Committee examines group influencing judges on climate cases.
• Activist group trained over 2,000 judges; questions raised on bias and transparency.
• Concerns mounting over higher costs for Americans and threats to energy security.

The House Judiciary Committee is investigating an environmental activist group over efforts to influence judges handling climate lawsuits. Lawmakers worry the group has created bias in the court system that could impact energy prices and national security.

The Climate Judiciary Project, part of the Environmental Law Institute, developed training materials used by thousands of judges on climate change topics. Members of the House Judiciary Committee say this project might be swaying judges in favor of those suing oil companies.

Some judges who have ruled on major climate lawsuits have previously worked with the Environmental Law Institute, raising concerns over impartiality. Notably, Hawaii’s top judge and a federal judge in Oregon both participated in events with the group while overseeing climate cases.

“Any attempt to suggest that the Climate Judiciary Project’s judicial educational activities are improper is entirely without merit,” ELI said in a statement. The group added, “CJP provides evidence-based and factual information to judges about climate science and how it is arising in the law.” ELI insists it does not advise judges on specific cases or coordinate with litigants.

The Judiciary Committee also accused the project of lacking transparency, noting that information about which judges attended training and funding for the events is not publicly available. The letter claims this secrecy makes it difficult to know if judges should step away from certain cases because of potential bias.

Lawmakers want answers on funding, expenses, and a list of all judges and presenters involved since 2019. They are also looking into possible coordination between the group and those pushing climate lawsuits.

Must Watch: @SenTedCruz calls out the Left’s judicial capture scheme being carried out by the Environmental Law Institute’s Climate Judiciary Project:

“This is not how a constitutional republic functions. Courts are not supposed to be laboratories for political activism, and… pic.twitter.com/An20n4SiEB

— Carrie Severino (@JCNSeverino) June 25, 2025

Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz blasted the Climate Judiciary Project as an example of “judicial capture,” warning it undermines the court’s role. Over twenty Republican state attorneys general demanded the EPA stop sending federal funds to the Environmental Law Institute.

The House Judiciary Committee warns that if these lawsuits against energy companies succeed, average Americans would face even higher energy bills and the nation’s energy security could be put at greater risk. The letter says that judges must remain impartial for the justice system to work fairly for everyone.

Stay informed and watch as Congress pushes for answers protecting Americans’ energy and our way of life.

Wyatt Matters

Keeping our courts free from outside influence protects everyday folks and ensures energy costs stay reasonable for families across the country.

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