Oil and gas companies spent $39.5 million lobbying congress in just the first quarter of this year
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators that blocked a vote on legislation to end taxpayer subsidies to oil companies have received five times more in campaign contributions from oil and gas interests than those who voted to begin debate, according to Oil Change International and Public Campaign Action Fund analysis of data from the Center for Responsive Politics.
The 48 Senators that voted against cloture today on S. 940, the Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act, have received $370,664, on average, in campaign contributions from the employees and political action committees (PACs) of oil and gas companies during their time in Congress, while those who voted to consider the legislation received just $72,145, on average.
“Giving profitable, price-hiking Big Oil companies billions in taxpayer subsidies is plain wrong,” said David Donnelly, national campaigns director for Public Campaign Action Fund. “The Senators who voted to prevent consideration of this bill today have made it clear—they stand with their big oil donors over their constituents struggling to fill their tank.”
“Americans know these subsidies are just another special interest handout that is repaid with lavish campaign contributions,” said Steve Kretzmann, executive director of Oil Change International. “Congress will need to have the backbone to bite the hands that feed them if we’re ever going to end subsidies to Big Oil.”
Overall, those opposed to the legislation have received $17,791,875 in campaign cash from oil and gas interests over the years, while those who voted in favor received $3,751,551. In addition, oil and gas companies spent $39.5 million on 633 lobbyists in the first quarter of 2011.
Data on each Senator is available at http://dirtyenergymoney.com.
Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
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