Senators Who Voted To Protect Oil Tax Breaks Received $23,582,500 From Big Oil

[babylonsister]

Senators Who Voted To Protect Oil Tax Breaks Received $23,582,500 From Big Oil

By Rebecca Leber on Mar 29, 2012 at 1:59 pm


In a 51-47 vote, 43 Senate Republicans and four Democrats filibustered to protect $24 billion in tax breaks for Big Oil. Although a majority voted for Sen. Robert Menendez’s (D-NJ) bill, it fell short of the 60 needed. The only two Republicans to break rank were Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and retiring Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME).

A Think Progress Green analysis shows how oil and gas companies have funneled cash to the same senators who protected its handouts:

– The 47 senators voting against the bill have received $23,582,500 in career contributions from oil and gas. The 51 senators voting to repeal oil tax breaks have received $5,873,600.

– The senators who voted for Big Oil’s handouts received on average over four times as much career oil cash as those who voted to end them.

– Overall, Senate Republicans have taken $23.2 million in oil and gas contributions. Democrats received $6.66 million.

– Since 2011, Senate Republicans have voted seven times for pro-Big Oil interests and against clean energy three times.

more...

http://thinkprogress.org/green/2012/03/29/454853/senators-who-voted-to-protect-oil-tax-breaks-received-23582500-from-big-oil/

[zbdent]

1. I have to give the Republicans credit on this for one thing ...

I forget which Repug it was, but he was quoted, essentially, "The Democrats couldn't promise that this would NOT raise the price of gas."

I SURE AS HELL WISH SOME DEMOCRAT WOULD DEMAND ANYBODY SCREAMING "DRILL, BABY, DRILL!" GUARANTEE THAT THE OIL WOULD GO TOWARD REDUCING THE COST OF GAS TO U.S. CONSUMERS!

[Ilsa]

2. So the oil companies' investment in our

criminal congresscritters paid off big time for them. Goddam bastards. And they wonder why we the people give them an approval rating of 9%. Fuck 'em.