FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, 22 May 2013
CONTACT:
Molly Haigh : 907-750-1999 : molly@fitzgibbonmedia.com or
Brett Abrams : 516-841-1105 : brett@fitzgibbonmedia.com
House Supporters of Keystone XL Took $56 Million From Fossil Fuel Industry Before Pipeline Vote
Average Supporter Took 6 Times More From Oil Industry Interests Than Opponents to Keystone XL
In the latest proof that the oil industry has succeeded in buying Congress, research from Oil Change International today reveals the huge amount of cash spent by the fossil fuel industry on the Representatives that voted in favor of H.R. 3, the “Northern Route Approval Act”.
H.R. 3 marks the seventh time the House of Representatives has voted on a bill that would circumvent the nation’s most important environmental laws, in order to force approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. But today’s vote saw fewer Representatives in favor of the resolution than past votes, showing waning interest in the issue among previous supporters.
Key findings from today’s vote include:
- Members of Congress supporting the pipeline took in a combined $56 million from fossil fuel interests, $36 million from oil industry interests alone;
- Members supporting the pipeline took an average of $233,774 from all fossil fuel interests, $150,604 from oil industry interests alone;
- Members opposing the pipeline took an average of $65,233 from all fossil fuel interests, and $24,886 from oil industry alone; and
- Supporters took 6 times more from the oil industry than opponents.
Stephen Kretzmann, Executive Director of Oil Change International, issued the following statement in response to the vote:
“Apparently, Big Oil knows it takes $200,000 to buy a vote in the House of Representatives. This may be small change for Big Oil, but our democracy is paying a huge price. Americans are fed up with this corrupt ‘votes for dollars’ system, and we demand better.
“It’s time for President Obama to put an end to this oil-fueled circus and reject the pipeline once and for all. Keystone XL would be bad for our economy, threaten the health of our families, and wreck the climate.”
The findings were derived from data taken from DirtyEnergyMoney.org, which compiles and further refines campaign contribution figures from the Center for Responsive Politics. These figures do not include total spending on direct lobbying by the industry.
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We, the people, are not being represented, but sold out!!!
This proposed project is not environmentally safe for our people much less our wildlife. I seriously oppose as do my people.
How do we stop these crooks in Congress? And we voted for them? Going to destroy the country so they can become even richer
The constitution states; For the people and By the people, and NOT for corporations and by corporations!
It would be useful to see the list of Senators and Congressmen who vote counter to our best interests. The last thing we need is to cave in to the corporate interest and vote the same people back into power. Following their votes is like following the money. Stopping Citizens United cold would be a good first step to bring this to an end. Money is not speech.
I never thought that greed could be so pervasive and immoral that it would be willing to destroy the world and the hopes of the next generation for personal gain.
Please edit for the difference between “six times more than” and “six times as much as.” There is a difference. If I offer you one time (100%) **more than** your current salary, you’ll get twice as much as you do now (current plus more). If I offer you one time **as much**, you’ll get no raise at all (just as much). Two times more is three times as much, because it’s the original PLUS MORE. $25K x 6 = $150K. The supporters took in six times **as much as** the opponents, not **more than**.
It is disgusting that our government has been bought out by the fossil fuel industry. Whatever happened to morality and responsibility for the good of the nation and the world? Renewable energy technology exists, but these forces are doing all that they can to hold it back in favor of promoting their dirty and deadly 19th century technology.
For Cleat Edmonson – you can go to http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/113-2013/h179 to see how each congressman voted for the Northern Route bill