A dispute between Democratic leadership and the insurgent left flank of the party has thrust an arcane question about congressional rules into controversy — do select committees have subpoena power?

In recent weeks, Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has prioritized the establishment of a new select committee on a Green New Deal, or a plan to transform the economy away from fossil fuels. Like the original New Deal, such a push would require large scale investments in green infrastructure and jobs.

Ocasio-Cortez secured the commitment of incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi to convene the select committee following a demonstration by the Sunrise Movement, an environmental group, outside of Pelosi’s office in November.

Select committees typically have the power to subpoena, according to the Congressional Research Service. On the Green New Deal select committee, members could presumably wield subpoenas to investigate oil and gas companies. But Democratic leadership has indicated Ocasio-Cortez’s new committee will not have that authority.

“The creation of the Select Committee was a decision made by Leader Pelosi, and it will be up to her as to whether or not the Committee will have subpoena powers,” said a senior Democratic aide.