In a new report released on Tuesday, Democrats in Congress have accused major oil companies of misleading Americans about the dangers of human-caused climate change for over 60 years. The 65-page report, the result of a three-year investigation, was made public just hours before a Senate Budget Committee hearing on the role played by oil and gas companies in global warming.

During the hearing, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., criticized the fossil fuel industry, stating that they could have been the "environmental Paul Revere" but instead chose to mislead and distract the public. The report highlighted research, transcripts, and video recordings that revealed how oil and gas companies were aware of the consequences of their emissions as early as the 1960s. Rather than addressing the issue, these companies attempted to hide the information and downplay the urgency of reducing emissions.

Geoffrey Supran, an associate professor and director of the Climate Accountability Lab at the University of Miami, supported the report's findings. Supran stated that oil and gas companies' claims of decarbonization are simply strategies to delay climate action. He referred to this as "greenwashing 101," emphasizing that these companies talk about being environmentally conscious but continue to act in ways that harm the environment.

Senate Republicans criticized the hearing as purely partisan and shifted the focus to the financial costs of transitioning away from oil and gas. They argued that significant expenditures fail to result in a measurable decrease in global temperatures. Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, one of the top oil and gas-producing states in the U.S., voiced concerns about the impact on the industry.

The American Petroleum Institute (API), a major lobbying group, came under scrutiny in the report and during the hearing for assisting oil and gas companies in concealing the truth about climate change. Senate Democrats accused API of providing public relations guidance while simultaneously serving as a scapegoat for congressional inquiry.

In response, an API spokesperson defended the industry, claiming that the focus should be on meeting America's energy demands with reliable and affordable oil and natural gas, as well as developing low-carbon technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture.

Democrats reiterated that oil and gas companies have caused significant damage to the environment for decades without being held accountable for the consequences. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., questioned what legal grounds exist to hold them accountable given their knowledge of the devastating effects of climate change.

The report and hearing shine a spotlight on the actions of the oil and gas industry, revealing a history of misinformation and attempts to undermine efforts to combat climate change. The findings have brought renewed attention to the need for accountability and calls for action to address the environmental damage caused by these companies.