Members Who Supported Massive Giveaway To Big Oil Have Received $38.6 Million From The Industry

By Rebecca Leber/Think Progress

The House of Representatives, which already holds the title of the most anti-environment House ever, today added another mark to the list — the Domestic Energy Production Act, H.R. 4480. The act is specifically designed to increase oil and gas development, with measures that block safeguards from smog and pollution and mandate drilling on public lands. The House Republicans passed this pollution and plunder energy package overrun by oil and gas industry interests, 248 to 163. This breakdown includes 229 Republicans and 19 Democratic members.

A ThinkProgress analysis of Center for Responsive Politics data shows how that oil and gas money overwhelmingly went to the votes for gutting safeguards from air pollution, drilling regulations and public lands protections:

• The 248 pro-Big Oil votes received over four times more oil and gas contributions over their careers.
• The 248 members — 229 Republicans and 19 Democrats — voted to pass the bill and enrich Big Oil. They received a total of $38.6 million in oil and gas campaign cash — or an average of $156,000 each — for their federal campaigns.
• Of the yes votes, 229 Republicans received $36.2 million.
• The 163 members who voted no — 158 Democrats and 5 Republicans — voted to protect children and seniors from smog, and ensure that our public lands could be enjoyed by all Americans, not just used for oil production. They received $5.8 million, or $36,000 each.

The oil industry has rarely been more influential in the House, based on lobbying and campaign contributions:

• The House is on track to collect a record amount of oil industry contributions this cycle, having already reached 2008 and 2010 levels. This hike in Big Oil spending has been predominantly funneled to Republicans, who received 88 percent of the industry’s campaign dollars for the 2012 cycle.And these are direct donations only — it does not include Super PAC spending or other campaign assistance.
• Coal company contributions to Congress are on track this year to beat a record $8.1 million spending, and House Republicans received 85 percent of the coal industry’s cash.
• Lobbying spending by both oil and coal reached $150 million and $18 million, respectively, in 2011.

Republicans have said they are for all forms of energy, but the Domestic Energy Production Act passed today shows much different priorities. While the energy package included many provisions to encourage oil and gas, clean energy was included only twice. GOP leaders did not even permit debate over amendments to include support for renewables and other forms of clean energy.

Even as the White House has threatened to veto the package, passing this bill reaffirms the House Republicans’ dedication to “oil above all.”

VETERAN CHALLENGES ROMNEY ON OIL AT TOWN HALL: ‘BIG OIL IS TAKING OVER!’

By Annie-Rose Strasser/Think Progress

Mitt Romney hates regulation, and he’s not afraid to say it. At an event in Pennsylvania today, Romney was confronted by a veteran who asked him how he will make sure big oil doesn’t take over at the expense of smaller refineries. Addressing the Keystone Pipeline, the man said, “Big oil is taking over!” But Romney stood by his support for a free market with no regulation. “That pipeline from Canada?” Romney said, “If I’m President, we’ll build it if I have to build it myself.” Watch it:

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

By Rebecca Leber/Think Progress

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.

Democrats who joined the Republicans in defeating the bill include Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Mark Begich (D-AK), and Jim Webb (D-VA). Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and retiring Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) broke ranks and voted to cut the tax breaks. Two senators, Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) didn’t vote.

Republicans have taken an overwhelming 88 percent of oil and gas contributions this election cycle. While showering politicans with cash, the oil industry also spent over $146,000,000 on lobbying last year.

Although 55 percent of Americans want to see Big Oil welfare end, the GOP once again largely acted in-line with their Big Oil donors.

The full list of oil contributions for the Senate is listed below, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics:

Senator	Since 2006	Career	Vote
Akaka, Daniel (D-HI)	6,800	33,500	Y
Alexander, Lamar (R-TN)	159,350	414,550	N
Ayotte, Kelly (R-NH)	142,368	142,368	N
Barrasso, John (R-WY)	409,900	416,650	N
Baucus, Max (D-MT)	193,800	358,815	Y
Begich, Mark (D -AK)	153,705	153,705	N
Bennet, Michael (D-CO)	137,170	137,170	Y
Bingaman, Jeff (D-NM)	130,499	446,440	Y
Blumenthal, Richard (D-CT)	8,500	8,500	Y
Blunt, Roy (R-MO)	363,950	760,598	N
Boozman, John (R-AR)	101,352	141,952	N
Boxer, Barbara (D-CA)	19,350	40,075	Y
Brown , Scott (R-MA)	198,660	198,660	N
Brown , Sherrod (D-OH)	14,850	63,250	Y
Burr, Richard (R-NC)	234,800	549,852	N
Cantwell, Maria (D-WA)	39,666	61,116	Y
Cardin, Benjamin (D-MD)	39,400	71,900	Y
Carper, Thomas (D-DE)	48,600	71,060	Y
Casey, Bob (D-PA)	103,150	103,150	Y
Chambliss, Saxby (R-GA)	260,300	381,192	N
Coats, Daniel (R-In)	144,783	348,908	N
Coburn, Tom (R-OK)	190,400	552,163	N
Cochran, Thad (R-MS)	94,250	231,485	N
Collins, Susan (R-ME)	83,900	175,643	Y
Conrad, Kent (D-ND)	72,150	312,403	Y
Coons, Chris (D-DE)	13,373	13,373	Y
Corker, Bob (R-TN)	414,250	462,950	N
Cornyn, John (R-TX)	1,197,275	1,877,550	N
Crapo, Mike (R-ID)	94,300	314,689	N
DeMint, Jim (R-SC)	149,323	248,389	N
Durbin, Richard (D-IL)	23,100	66,800	Y
Enzi, Michael (R-WY)	126,800	305,650	N
Feinstein, Dianne (D-CA)	63,500	179,750	Y
Franken, Al (D-MN)	19,200	19,200	Y
Gillibrand, Kirsten (D-NY)	67,882	74,050	Y
Graham, Lindsey (R-SC)	64,150	154,875	N
Grassley, Chuck (R-IA)	132,500	270,050	N
Hagan, Kay (D-NC)	17,550	17,550	Y
Harkin, Tom (D-IA)	61,550	189,500	Y
Hatch, Orrin (R-UT)	310,750	452,425	–
Heller, Dean (R-NV)	122,100	210,050	N
Hoeven, John (R-ND)	263,289	263,289	N
Hutchsion, Kay Bailey (R-TX)	476,586	2,223,271	N
Inhofe, James (R-OK)	550,350	1,367,523	N
Inouye, Daniel (D-HI)	25,850	65,850	Y
Isakson, Johnny (R-GA)	130,900	248,514	N
Johanns, Mike (R-NE)	82,800	82,800	N
Johnson, Ron (R-WI)	113,950	113,950	N
Johnson, Tim (D-SD)	62,350	127,706	Y
Kerry, John (D-MA)	4,710	407,570	Y
Kirk, Mark (R-IL)	159,750	207,750	–
Klobouchar, Amy (D-MN)	19,716	19,716	Y
Kohl, Herb (D-WI)	–	1,300	Y
Kyl, Jon (R-AZ)	145,900	334,332	N
Landrieu, Mary L. (D-LA)	492,030	891,574	N
Lautenberg, Frank (D-NJ)	40,800	95,900	Y
Leahy, Patrick (D-VT)	250	10,250	Y
Lee, Mike (R-UT)	50,350	50,350	N
Levin, Carl (D-MI)	23,100	92,844	Y
Lieberman, Jo (I -CT)	84,850	196,250	Y
Lugar, Richard (R-IN)	67,600	217,225	N
Manchin, Joe (D-WV)	141,300	141,300	Y
McCain, John (R-AZ)	2,622,764	2,870,491	N
McCaskill, Claire (D-MO)	55,058	55,058	Y
McConnell, Mitch (R-KY)	759,450	1,154,011	N
Menendez, Robert (D-NJ)	58,900	118,650	Y
Merkley, Jeff (D-OR)	6,500	6,500	Y
Mikulski, Barbara (D-MD)	9,650	47,710	Y
Moran, Jerry (R-KS)	139,000	385,496	N
Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK)	320,326	533,489	N
Murray, Patty (D-Wa)	21,716	57,366	Y
Nelson, Ben (D-NE)	217,650	271,555	N
Nelson, Bill (D-FL)	56,617	86,117	Y
Paul, Rand (R-KY)	106,840	106,840	N
Portman, Robert (R-OH)	313,858	323,458	N
Pryor, Mark (D-AR)	153,650	183,800	Y
Reed, Jack (D-RI)	5,200	12,850	Y
Reid, Harry (D-NV)	136,550	349,336	Y
Risch, James (R-ID)	88,350	88,350	N
Roberts, Pat (R-KS)	250,000	429,800	N
Rockefeller, Jay (D-WV)	73,550	310,250	Y
Rubio, Marco (R-FL)	244,034	244,034	N
Sanders, Bernie (I -VT)	5,500	7,200	Y
Schumer, Charles (D-NY)	64,200	239,551	Y
Sessions, Jeff (R-AL)	106,200	297,500	N
Shaheen, Jeanne (D-NH)	12,300	21,000	Y
Shelby, Richard (R-AL)	50,900	352,700	N
Snowe, Olympia (R-ME)	73,200	173,900	Y
Stabenow, Debnbie (D-MI)	35,750	54,100	Y
Tester, Jon (D-Mt)	26,400	26,400	Y
Thune, John (R-SD)	189,835	649,462	N
Toomey, Patrick (R-PA)	315,366	362,716	N
Udall, Mark (D-CO)	120,110	169,029	Y
Udall, Tom (D-NM)	105,329	150,210	Y
Vitter, David (R-LA)	612,850	1,018,685	N
Warner, Mark (D-VA)	20,400	59,200	Y
Webb, Jim (D-VA)	26,006	26,006	N
Whitehouse, Sheldon (D-RI)	25,550	25,550	Y
Wicker, Roger (R-MS)	356,400	538,810	N
Wyden, Ron (D-OR)	43,264	117,864	Y
TOTAL	16,994,910	30,116,264
GOP	13,586,309	23,249,395
Dems	3,318,251	6,663,419
Independents	90,350	203,450

Methodology: Analysis includes oil and gas contributions from PACs and individuals giving $200 or more to Senators between the 2006-2012 election cycles and over their career, using data from the Center for Responsive Politics.