Washington, D.C. — A new InfluenceMap report shows that major Big Oil trade group the American Petroleum Institute and its front group Energy Citizens dumped more than $2 million into lobbying efforts in the first two quarters of 2021, in addition to its recent seven-figure ad buy to mislead Americans against President Biden’s widely popular Build Back Better plan, which would make crucial investments in climate action and support for middle-class and working-class families.   

The report also comes before a House Oversight Committee hearing later this month where API, along with major oil companies BP, Exxon, Chevron, and Royal Dutch Shell, has been called to testify about Big Oil’s ongoing efforts to spread misinformation and impede progress on protecting the climate. 

“With API expected to testify before Congress later this month, it’s on lawmakers to demand that the group explain how it can possibly defend fighting the Build Back Better Act and its much-needed investments in climate action and support for American families,” said Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.US. “Big Oil talks a big game about supporting climate solutions — that is, until it might affect their banner profits and wealthy executive paydays. It’s high time these companies stop standing in the way of much-needed investments in families and start paying their fair share.” 

The new analysis follows a report in The Guardian last week showing that several leading U.S. businesses including Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Disney are backing groups spending millions to fight the landmark climate bill wrapped into the reconciliation bill. While these companies and their leaders proudly claim to be environmental stewards that support combatting climate change, their money tells a different story as they back the business coalitions working to undermine the nation’s “biggest climate change bill ever.” 

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