House Science Committee chairman issues subpoena for EPA chief's text messages

The chairman of the House Science Committee has issued a subpoena to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy seeking her text messages and other electronic communications.

Republican congressman Lamar Smith of Texas says he is left with no alternative but to issue a subpoena' after the EPA refused to provide complete records in response to the committee's repeated requests for all emails and text messages sent by McCarthy and other top officials.

Smith said Wednesday that the EPA has released a single text message from McCarthy's cell phone. The text, from the president of the League of Conservation Voters, praises McCarthy's comments questioning the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline.

Spokeswoman Liz Purchia says the EPA will to continue to be responsive to the committee's requests for information.