Press Releases
Warning: Industry Lobbyists and Lackeys Could Staff Powerful Congressional Committees
Today, in advance of the incoming majority taking power and staffing congressional committees, Accountable.US released the following statement warning that these influential positions are likely to be filled by individuals whose previous work as lobbyists or advocates for industry-backed special interest groups should bar them from service.
The incoming House majority will do everything in its power to advance Big Oil’s agenda, including hiring former industry staffers and lobbyists to draft policy and legislation that benefits their former, and likely future, employers. The oil and gas industry gave over $3.8 million to Republicans on House Natural Resources - we're about to see what that kind of money can buy.”
Jordan Schreiber, Director of Energy and Environment at Accountable.US
Since entering Congress in 2013, likely incoming House Natural Resources Committee chair Bruce Westerman (R-AK), took more than $602,000 from the energy and natural resources sector. For his part, Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy took more than $4.59 million from the energy and natural resources sector during his time in Congress.
