houston republican-led congressional committee seek friday assert oversight inquiries 20 state make exxon mobil climate change reiterate demand know state attorneys general consultations environmental group letter 17 members congress rank members house science space technology committee say broad jurisdiction allow review investigations carry state committee push back state officials say subject federal oversight standoff late high-stakes battle world large publicly trade oil company coalition state attorneys general say would go exxon bid force congressional action tackle climate change 20 state officials jointly say march would participate inquiries whether exxon executives mislead public contradict research company scientists spell threats climate change prior march announcement state officials meet range prominent environmental investment group oppose fossil fuel house committee complain inquiries risk stifle free speech scientific inquiry state officials coordinate special interest group house committee demand second time since may state officials hand record communications offices outside group congress responsibility investigate whether investigations chill effect free flow scientific inquiry debate regard climate change letter say people trouble attempt members congress silence undercut basic investigatory authority state attorney general office say cyndi roy gonzalez spokeswoman massachusetts attorney general maura healey office intimidate oil industry-backed members u.s. house representatives exxon part say acknowledge reality climate change years communicate investors wednesday exxon ask federal court throw subpoena would force hand decades document climate change healey office house panel claim oversight state climate probe exxon