November 12, 2026

Ranking Member Lofgren Notifies Agencies, Companies, and Individuals Tied to Committee Oversight to Preserve All Records

(Washington, DC) – This morning, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), sent letters to over 30 companies, individuals, and federal agencies informing them to preserve their records. Letter recipients include companies and individuals with ties to ongoing Science Committee Democratic investigations and agencies over which the Committee has jurisdiction.

In her letters to individuals and private companies, the Ranking Member writes:

“This letter serves to formally notify you of your obligation to identify, retain, and preserve all information and materials in your possession or control, including personal property if applicable, that could potentially be relevant to the Committee’s oversight. You must preserve all information and materials subject to this obligation until further notice. … Failure to act as instructed may be interpreted as the deliberate obstruction of Congress’s power of inquiry. The Committee reserves the right to respond accordingly.”

In her letters to agency leaders, the Ranking Member sites the Federal Records Act:

“The Federal Records Act and the regulations promulgated to implement it require the head of each federal agency to safeguard against the removal or loss of agency records. Records and documentation regarding policies, decisions, procedures, transactions, and deliberations are subject to these statutory preservation requirements. The requirement to preserve records extends to applicable government documents and communications on personal property and in encrypted electronic messaging applications. Additionally, other records of interest may be covered by The Presidential Records Act.”

Letter recipients:
USA Rare Earth, Inc.