CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) — West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a coalition of 27 attorneys general calling for the Federal Judicial Center to immediately withdraw what he calls an inappropriate new addition to the Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence that deals with “climate science.”
For decades, the Manual has been an important research tool for judges and attorneys. The U.S. Supreme Court has cited it to explain basic principles in math and science, and it has been cited in more than 1,700 opinions. That is why the accuracy and impartiality of the Manual is vital.
“Impartiality is a cornerstone of our judicial system. That’s why it is so important that a document that serves as the guidelines by which most, if not all, courts interpret the law be written with justice, honesty, and freedom from bias,” Attorney General McCuskey said. “The climate chapter of the latest edition of the Manual is absolutely biased and would tip the scales in favor of left-leaning policies that would be the final nail in the coffin of American-produced energy. We cannot allow that to happen. Domestic energy production is key to continued American prosperity and security.”
The coalition reminds the Center that Article III “guarantees every litigant… the right to an independent and impartial tribunal.” According to McCuskey’s office, this guarantee loses all meaning when the court system’s research office decides controversial questions before judges have ruled on them. If the Center can decide scientific questions in climate cases, it could easily decide other controversial questions for election disputes, Second Amendment cases and other matters.
Given that there are ongoing federal lawsuits trying to settle these exact issues—including before the Supreme Court—the attorneys general are asking the Center to withdraw this chapter and establish policies so that political agenda-driven guidelines are not included in future editions.
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming joined West Virginia in the letter.
