Congressman Joe Barton serves the 6th Congressional District of Texas. Barton is the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce – the oldest standing legislative House committee. The Energy & Commerce Committee has arguably the broadest non tax-oriented jurisdiction of any congressional committee, with principal House responsibility over matters relating to commerce, public health and marketplace interests. Barton is arguably one of the most powerful members of Congress.
On January 30, 2015 the SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following communication from the Honorable Joe Barton, Member of Congress:
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Washington, DC, January 27, 2015.
Hon. JOHN A. BOEHNER,
The Speaker, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
DEAR MR. SPEAKER: This is to notify you formally, pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, that I have been served with a subpoena for documents issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in connection with a criminal case currently pending before that court.
After consultation with the Office of General Counsel, I will determine whether compliance with the subpoena is consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.
Sincerely,
Joe Barton,
Member of Congress.
Note: It is unclear exactly why the Congressman is being subpoena in the first place. A call to his office was not returned.