Press Release - DeWine Continues To Defend His Support For Big Oil
DeWine Continues To Defend His Support For Big Oil
Brown has worked in bipartisan way to address energy crisis
COLUMBUS - Republican incumbent Senator Mike DeWine continued to defend his vote to subsidize oil and gas companies at the expense of Ohio families today, reiterating his support for an energy bill that has resulted in increased prices at the pump [Columbus Dispatch 8/17/06]. U.S. Representative Sherrod Brown is touring Ohio meeting with small business owners affected by rising fuel and heating costs.
"The GOP energy bill that Senator DeWine voted for gave $10 billion in tax breaks to oil and gas companies while it capped breaks for Ohio families at a $500 lifetime limit," said Brown. "Since that bill passed gas prices have increased more than 75 cents in Ohio. Mike DeWine voted for an energy bill that boosted the profits of oil and gas companies and stretched the budgets of Ohio families."
Lobbyists from the oil and gas companies worked with Republican leaders to craft the energy bill. Energy industry officials enjoyed secret access to the Cheney Energy Task Force, which produced a blueprint for the 2005 GOP Energy bill. DeWine accepted more than $380,000 in contributions from the oil and gas industry and voted for the energy bill.
Higher gas prices across the nation have helped oil CEOs earn more than $140,000 a day.
"Senator DeWine and Republican leaders passed legislation that was drafted by and for the oil industry," stated Brown. "Higher gas prices have helped oil CEOs earn more than twice in one day what the average Ohio family of four makes in a year."
DeWine continued to distort Brown's record of finding bipartisan solutions to addressing the energy crisis [Columbus Dispatch 8/17/06]. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Brown has worked with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to bring down energy prices and invest in alternative energy.
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