Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) is pressing for a Senate hearing to investigate Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm's admission that she provided inaccurate testimony regarding her stock holdings. In a letter addressed to Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Hawley requested an oversight hearing to address Granholm's recent disclosure, which contradicts her previous statements under oath.

During an April committee hearing, Granholm claimed she did not own individual stocks when questioned by Hawley. However, a subsequent disclosure revealed she held shares in six companies at the time of her testimony, which she divested from in May. This discrepancy, coupled with Granholm's delayed notification to the committee, has raised concerns about her compliance with federal ethics laws and the Energy Department's overall adherence to such regulations. Hawley's letter emphasizes the need for Granholm to clarify her actions and address the department's systemic issues with ethics compliance related to stock ownership.

Furthermore, Granholm admitted to a separate oversight regarding her husband's ownership of Ford Motor Company shares, which were also divested after the discovery. These revelations have prompted questions about Granholm's awareness of her and her family's financial holdings. Hawley expressed his concerns about the inconsistencies and the extended delay in correcting the record.

While a full committee hearing has not been immediately scheduled, Manchin's spokesperson indicated willingness to facilitate a meeting between Granholm and Hawley to address the Senator's questions directly. Concurrently, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), the ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has requested an investigation by the Department of Energy Inspector General into Granholm's reporting errors, citing a pattern of concerning incidents, including violations of the Hatch Act and STOCK Act. Despite these allegations, the Department of Energy maintains that Granholm acted swiftly to resolve the stock ownership issue and remains committed to ethical conduct and transparency.