Hayes' Personal Fortune Tied to Rising Cost of Gas
Statement
With gas prices steadily rising today, Larry Kissell, Democratic nominee for Congress in North Carolina's 8th District, marked the one year anniversary of President Bush signing his Energy Bill into law last year. Kissell characterized this legislation as a special interest payoff to the big oil companies.
"Robin Hayes voted for the Energy Bill last year that netted Big Oil a cool $2.6 billion of our hard earned tax money, and evidently did nothing to lower gas prices. Over 500 people agreed with this assessment last week when they lined up for hours to take advantage of my campaign's $1.22 per gallon gas event in Biscoe. The Hayes-Bush approach to energy scratches Big Oil's back, but has left us regular folks with a huge tab that we really can't afford," said Kissell.
In addition to voting for the Energy Bill last year, Hayes has collected $40,750 from energy-related interests so far this election. He received $52,930 from those same interests in the 2004 cycle. [Center for Responsive Politics, opensecrets.org]
"First he voted to send our jobs to Central America, then he decided to cut a huge check to Exxon. I'm not sure what Hayes was thinking, but then again I've never owned millions in Exxon stock," said Kissell.
In addition to inheriting a textile fortune, Robin Hayes has been investing in the very same companies he has voted to help since going to Congress. Prior to cashing in, Hayes held over $4 million in Big Oil stocks, nearly half of which was in Exxon.
"I'm not angry about Hayes being rich. But I'm furious that he's voted to help Big Oil get richer while the working folks of this district struggle to make ends meet. I just hope folks see that he's no longer a friend of ours in DC. He's become a friend of the big special interests, not us. When I'm in Congress, that will change. I have too many friends and family hurting right now to ever turn my back on them like Hayes has. I'll be helping all the folks I can from now until Election Day, then every day thereafter when I serve as a real Representative," said Kissell.
Source