As Fracking Industry Contributions Rise, U.S. House Passes Flurry of Pro-Industry Bills

[Scuba]

To compare them to whores would be unfair. To the whores.


http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2013/as-fracking-industry-contributions-rise-u-s-house-passes-flurry-of-pro-industry-bills

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the third day this week, the U.S. House of Representatives wasted scarce floor time to debate and vote on legislation granting favors to the oil and gas industry. Today’s bill seeks to speed gas pipeline approvals—an industry priority in the midst of the current fracking-enabled gas drilling rush. By a vote of 252–165, House members approved HR 1900, the final in a series of pro-industry, anti-environment bills up for a vote this week. None of the bills are expected to be taken up by the U.S. Senate.

Among other things, HR 1900 would require automatic approval of gas pipelines within arbitrary timeframes and limit input and participation from the public on proposed gas pipeline projects, including property owners subject to eminent domain proceedings. This week’s string of votes comes as a new study from the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington shows that oil and gas industry contributions to congressional campaigns grew 231 percent between 2004 and 2012 in districts and states with fracking activity.

The following is a statement from Earthjustice Senior Legislative Representative Jessica Ennis:

“This week, House Majority Leadership showed that they’ll sacrifice just about anything for the oil and gas industry, whether it’s the hunters and fishermen who enjoy using our public lands, parents trying to protect their children from the health impacts of fracking, even the rights of property owners along proposed gas pipeline projects.

“The reason for this loyalty? Look no further than a damning report out yesterday showing a 231 percent increase in industry contributions to candidates in areas of fracking activity.

Fortunately, we can count on the Democratically-controlled Senate to kill this, right? Right?

[justhanginon]

1. I've often wondered if our beloved Reps have

a secret and very secure loading dock in the House office buildings where the corporate lobbyist's money trucks make their deliveries or if it is all channeled through their various political organizations and Pacs.

[Scuba]

2. The lobbyists ordinarily use a bagman ...

John Boehner admits to giving bribes from Big Tobacco on the House floor

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/john-boehner-admits-giving-bribes-big-t

Boehner: "Mine asked me to give out a half dozen checks quickly before we got to the end of the month and I complied. I did it on the House floor which I regret and I should not have done..."