Senators Protect Big Oil, Receive Big Checks
The Article: Senators Who Voted To Protect Oil Tax Breaks Received $23,582,500 From Big Oil by Rebecca Leber in Think Progress.
The Text: 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 Menendezās (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:
ā 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.
ā The senators who voted for Big Oilās handouts received on average over four times as much career oil cash as those who voted to end them.