By Zachary Newkirk on May 3, 2011 10:05 AM : May 3
OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY'S POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS:Gas prices are rising again, causing even more "pain at the pump" and challenging a nation to think up new clichés for paying lots of money while filling up one's car. Hawaii broke records last week when gas hit more than $4.50 per gallon.
But, just as gas keeps flowing into American vehicles to keep them running, the oil and gas industry's money keeps pouring into politicians' committees.
During the 2010 election cycle, the oil and gas industry contributed more than $30.5 million to federal level political interests, according to Center for Responsive Politics research. This amount includes more than $17.1 million from industry political action committees, nearly $11.4 million from individuals associated with the industry and more than $2 million in outside money the industry spent to independently promote or slam political candidates.
About 77 percent of that money benefited Republicans.
Since the 1990 election cycle, the oil and gas industry has contributed more than $270 million to political campaigns, committees and causes. Republicans received 76 percent of the total money.
The top five beneficiaries of the oil and gas industry during all campaigns have been Republicans. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has raked in more than $2.7 million from the industry. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) is a distant second with more than $2.1 million.
But during the 2010 election cycle, a Democrat, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), was the top recipient with $452,700 in contributions. Another Democrat, Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.) rounded out the top five with $225,500. Lincoln was a member of the Blue Dog Caucus before her defeat to now-Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.). Boren is one of the most conservative members of the Democratic Party, voting against the health care bill, voting for its repeal, and voting against Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for that position.
What companies are contributing the most? The people and PACs affiliated with Koch Industries, ExxonMobil and Chief Oil and Gas were the top three political donors during the 2010 election.
Koch Industries' employees and PAC doled out more than $1.9 million, of which 94 percent benefited Republicans. All five of the Democrats Koch Industries contributed to are -- or were -- members of the conservative Blue Dog Caucus.
The employees and PAC of ExxonMobil contributed more than $1.4 million to federal-level politics during the 2010 elections. Republicans received 88 percent of that money. Chief Oil and Gas' employees and PAC contributed $1 million to the conservative American Crossroads outside spending group.
CONGRESSMAN'S FINANCIAL WOES?: Rep. Denny Rehberg(R-Mont.), a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in 2012, is "struggling just like everybody else" as he recently said of his economic status.
But unlike "everybody else," Rehberg is calculated to be worth between $6.6 million and $56.2 million, for an average of about $31.4 million, according to the Center's research based on 2009 personal financial disclosure forms -- the most recent available.
This would make Rehberg the 14th wealthiest member of the House of Representatives, according to the Center's study. In 2004 and 2005, Rehberg was the 11th wealthiest member of the House.
The wealthiest member of the House of Representatives (and the entire Congress) is Rep.Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) with an averaged net worth of more than $303.5 million.
PRIORITIES USA REVEALS DEMOCRATIC DIVIDE: Democrats recently announced that they will fight fire with fire in the world of money in politics. In reaction to the conservative outside spending groups like American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS, two groups -- Priorities USA and Priorities USA Action -- were created to raise $100 million for President Obama's re-election campaign, according to Politico on Friday.
Priorities USA Action is a 527 group while Priorities USA, with a 501c(4) status, does not have to disclose its donors.
Longtime Democratic advisers -- including former White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, strategist Paul Begala and former Rahm Emmanuel aide Sean Sweeney -- will head the new outside spending groups.
President Obama is a stated opponent of undisclosed campaign funds. In April, he announced plans to require companies on government contract to disclose their campaign contributors, a plan that was met with Republican opposition. But Obama has not spoken out against the creation of these new Democratic groups.
Not all Democrats are pleased with large outside spending groups being formed, no matter their potential for raising $100 million.
Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), a long-time advocate for campaign finance reform and fierce critic for undisclosed outside spending groups, told The Huffington Post, "I’m not going to endorse playing with the devil. I'm not going to endorse becoming just another corporate candidate."
What companies are contributing the most? The people and PACs affiliated with Koch Industries, ExxonMobil and Chief Oil and Gas were the top three political donors during the 2010 election.
Koch Industries' employees and PAC doled out more than $1.9 million, of which 94 percent benefited Republicans. All five of the Democrats Koch Industries contributed to are -- or were -- members of the conservative Blue Dog Caucus.
The employees and PAC of ExxonMobil contributed more than $1.4 million to federal-level politics during the 2010 elections. Republicans received 88 percent of that money. Chief Oil and Gas' employees and PAC contributed $1 million to the conservative American Crossroads outside spending group.
CONGRESSMAN'S FINANCIAL WOES?: Rep. Denny Rehberg(R-Mont.), a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in 2012, is "struggling just like everybody else" as he recently said of his economic status. But unlike "everybody else," Rehberg is calculated to be worth between $6.6 million and $56.2 million, for an average of about $31.4 million, according to the Center's research based on 2009 personal financial disclosure forms -- the most recent available.
This would make Rehberg the 14th wealthiest member of the House of Representatives, according to the Center's study. In 2004 and 2005, Rehberg was the 11th wealthiest member of the House.
The wealthiest member of the House of Representatives (and the entire Congress) is Rep.Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) with an averaged net worth of more than $303.5 million.
PRIORITIES USA REVEALS DEMOCRATIC DIVIDE: Democrats recently announced that they will fight fire with fire in the world of money in politics. In reaction to the conservative outside spending groups like American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS, two groups -- Priorities USA and Priorities USA Action -- were created to raise $100 million for President Obama's re-election campaign, according to Politico on Friday.Priorities USA Action is a 527 group while Priorities USA, with a 501c(4) status, does not have to disclose its donors.
Longtime Democratic advisers -- including former White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, strategist Paul Begala and former Rahm Emmanuel aide Sean Sweeney -- will head the new outside spending groups.
President Obama is a stated opponent of undisclosed campaign funds. In April, he announced plans to require companies on government contract to disclose their campaign contributors, a plan that was met with Republican opposition. But Obama has not spoken out against the creation of these new Democratic groups.
Not all Democrats are pleased with large outside spending groups being formed, no matter their potential for raising $100 million.
Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), a long-time advocate for campaign finance reform and fierce critic for undisclosed outside spending groups, told The Huffington Post, "I’m not going to endorse playing with the devil. I'm not going to endorse becoming just another corporate candidate."
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