Big Oil Donations Fueling Lawmakers’ Push For $3 Billion Big Oil Bailout?

New Legislation Would Authorize Tax Dollars For Trump’s Big Oil Bailout, Allowing Administration To Make Oil Purchases

Earlier this week, four members of Congress introduced legislation that, if passed, would authorize Trump’s Department of Energy to purchase some $3 billion worth of domestic oil for America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve. It is one of the latest desperate attempts by the Trump Administration and some congressional members to bail out the crumbling oil industry. New campaign finance research tallied by Western Values Project found that over $2 million in big oil donations have flowed into these members’ campaign coffers over their political careers.

“Americans need to look no further than the big oil campaign cash that filled the pockets of these members of Congress and the oil industry’s deep ties to the Trump Administration when the needs of struggling families, first responders, and state and local governments are not being met during this pandemic,” said Jayson O’Neill, Director of Western Values Project. “It’s a dereliction of duty for the Trump Administration and these lawmakers to prioritize big oil bailouts while Americans are losing their lives and families are struggling to make ends meet.”

Western Values Project, an Accountable.US project focused on public lands conservation and accountability, totaled $2,179,887 in oil and gas industry donations to Representatives Burgess, Fletcher, and Cuellar, and Senator Hoeven, all sponsors of the recently introduced legislation. A running total of all the Members of Congress supporting big oil bailouts by the Huffington Post found that they had received some $35 million oil and gas industry donations over their careers. The total has yet to be updated with Rep. Cuellar’s $879,359 in donations from the oil and gas industry. 

Learn more about the special interests fueling the Trump Administration at Accountable.US and ongoing efforts to carve out more big oil, coal, and mining bailouts at WesternValuesProject.org.

A Bill Introduced In Congress To Offer A $3 Billion Bailout To Oil Companies Is Backed Entirely By Members Of Congress Who Have Received Millions From The Oil Industry 

Reps. Michael Burgess, Lizzie Fletcher, Henry Cuellar, And Senator John Hoeven Have Introduced A Bill To Give A $3 Billion Bailout To The Oil Industry 

A Bill Introduced In Congress Would Authorize A $3 Billion Purchase Of Oil For The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). “A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill on Tuesday providing $3 billion to buy oil for the national emergency reserve as a way to help energy companies hit by the plunge in crude prices. The bill, which would have to be passed in the Senate and the House of Representatives and signed by President Donald Trump, was introduced by Senator John Hoeven and Representative Michael Burgess, both Republicans, and Representative Lizzie Fletcher, a Democrat. Representative Henry Cuellar, also a Democrat, is a cosponsor.” [Reuters, 04/07/20]

A $3 Billion SPR Purchase Would Be A Big Bailout For Oil Companies. “This purchase, however, is ultimately an infusion of cash for exploration and production companies. And while some companies are struggling to stay afloat at such low prices, they should not be supported at the expense of the American taxpayer. The SPR is intended to respond to supply shortages rather than supply gluts. As a net exporter of oil, the United States is less susceptible to shifting supply abroad than ever before. Therefore, while this purchase may prove slightly beneficial for government finances, the SPR’s purchase has minimal impact on global prices, domestic economics, and runs against the reserve’s intended purpose.” [American Action Forum, 03/16/20]

Henry Cuellar Has Received Nearly $1 Million From The Oil And Gas Industry Throughout His Career

Over His Career, Henry Cuellar Has Received $879,359 From The Oil And Gas Industry. [OpenSecrets, accessed 04/08/20]

In the 2020 Cycle, Cuellar Has So Far Received $151,232 From The Oil And Gas Industry. Oil and gas is Cuellar’s top-donating industry this cycle. [OpenSecrets, accessed 04/08/20]

Cuellar’s Top Oil And Gas Donors In The 2020 Cycle Include Several Big Oil  Companies, Including:

In The 2018 Cycle, Cuellar Received $165,900 From The Oil And Gas Industry.  Oil and gas was Cuellar’s top-donating industry that cycle. [OpenSecrets, accessed 04/08/20]

Cuellar’s Top Oil And Gas Donors In The 2018 Cycle Include Several Big Oil  Companies, Including:

Lizzie Fletcher Has Received Over A Quarter Million Dollars From The Oil And Gas Industry Since She Joined Congress In 2019

Over Her Career, Lizzie Fletcher Has Received $207,298 From The Oil And Gas Industry. [OpenSecrets, accessed 04/08/20]

In the 2020 Cycle, Fletcher Has So Far Received $126,917 From The Oil And Gas Industry. [OpenSecrets, accessed 04/08/20]

Many of Fletcher’s top contributors in the 2020 cycle have been tied to the oil industry, including:

In the 2018 Cycle, Fletcher Received $80,3801 From The Oil And Gas Industry. [OpenSecrets, accessed 04/10/20]

Michael Burgess Has Received $455,000 From The Oil And Gas Industry Since He Joined Congress

Over His Career, Michael Burgess Has Received $455,152 From The Oil And Gas Industry. [OpenSecrets, accessed 04/08/20]

In the 2020 Cycle, Burgess Has So Far Received Contributions From Several Major Oil Companies, Including:

John Hoeven Has Received $638,078 From The Oil And Gas Industry In His Career

Over His Career, John Hoeven Has Received $638,078 From The Oil And Gas Industry. [OpenSecrets, accessed 04/08/20]

In the 2020 Cycle, Hoeven Has So Far Received $332,730 From The Oil And Gas Industry. Oil and gas is Hoeven’s top-donating industry this cycle. [OpenSecrets, accessed 04/08/20]

Hoeven’s Top Oil And Gas Donors In The 2020 Cycle Include Several Big Oil  Companies, Including:

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