Amid Debt Crisis, Dirty Senators Defend Oil Subsidies
"Amid Debt Crisis, Dirty Senators Defend Oil Subsidies"
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In light of the debt debate dominating the Halls of Congress, some in Congress continue to fight to maintain billions in tax breaks for big oil while asking American families to sacrifice even more. A group of nine U.S. Senators wrote to President Obama protesting the idea of closing oil tax loopholes and calling for even more giveaways of national assets to the rapacious industry:
While we continue to hear talk about increased taxes on the oil and natural gas industry, numerous studies show the industry can create thousands of jobs throughout the economy and substantially increase the revenues it provides to our government if increased access is given to domestic resources.
Not surprisingly, the handful of senators — six Republicans and Democrats Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Mark Begich (D-AK), and Mark Warner (D-VA) — that recently sent a letter to President Obama have received $7.1 million in contributions from the oil and gas industry.
| Senator | Career Oil and Gas Money |
|---|---|
| Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) | $2,223,475 |
| John Cornyn (R-TX) | $1,809,300 |
| David Vitter (R-LA) | $991,785 |
| Mary Landrieu (D-LA) | $830,894 |
| Roger Wicker (R-MS) | $487,360 |
| Richard Shelby (R-AL) | $355,200 |
| Thad Cochran (R-MS) | $229,485 |
| Mark Begich (D-AK) | $144,255 |
| Mark Warner (D-VA) | $57,700 |
| TOTAL | $7,139,454 |
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