WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Climate Power and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) announced a series of ads calling out Republicans who take campaign contributions from Big Oil companies while voting against clean energy legislation. The ad running nationally and on D.C. cable features Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise who were the top two recipients of oil and gas money in the House last cycle.  The district specific ads will run in four Republican-represented districts in Southern California and Florida that are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

WATCH THE AD HERE

“It is the height of hypocrisy for a member of Congress who represents a district that’s been hammered by deadly climate-fueled wildfires or tropical storms to take Big Oil’s money and vote against clean energy investments,” said Pete Maysmith, LCV SVP of Campaigns. “It’s time for Big Oil’s allies in Congress to feel the heat for amassing campaign contributions from price gouging oil and gas executives.”

“Voters are angry at politicians protecting the profits of Big Oil CEOs while they struggle to fill their gas tanks,” said Lori Lodes, Climate Power Executive Director. “Big Oil-backed Republicans in power have spread disinformation about climate change and blocked plans to transition to a clean energy economy. We can make the U.S. truly energy independent by speeding up the production of clean renewable energy – like wind and solar – that will lower prices and reduce our dependence on oil.”

The national ad setting the narrative is accompanied by spending in Congressional districts on the front lines of the climate crisis where high gas prices are top of mind for the public. These members are Mike Garcia (CA-25), Michelle Steel (CA-48), Maria Salazar (FL-27), and Carlos Gimenez (FL-26). The climate-fueled extreme weather their districts have faced, from intense wildfires and drought in Southern California to rising sea levels and devastating tropical storms in South Florida, underscores the consequences when lawmakers seek to curry favor and contributions from Big Oil.

WATCH THE AD HERE

On April 5 and 6, while the ads are up on the air nationally and in these districts, and ahead of the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s hearing with oil company executives, the League of Conservation Voters will have an installation on the National Mall that calls attention to Big Oil’s price-gouging.

Over 80% of oil and gas donations went to Republican congressional candidates over the past 30 years – totaling over $500 million in campaign donations for the GOP. In the last decade alone, Big Oil has spent over a billion dollars lobbying to weaken environmental protections and stop the production of clean energy. Just last year, as families were struggling because of inflation, House Republicans voted to block a clean energy plan that would have lowered families’ energy costs.

In a recent survey conducted by Hart Research, 76% of voters expressed little or no confidence in politicians who rely on fossil fuel companies for campaign contributions, writing that such politicians occupy “the hottest place in gas price hell.” Instead of working to meaningfully aid families struggling with higher gas prices, Big Oil and their enablers in Congress have focused on blaming nonexistent Biden policies, even though a recent Dallas Fed survey found that oil executives themselves blame the lack of production increases on a desire to reward investors, not government policy.

Scripts for the national ad and sample district ad are below.

Higher Profits (national ad)
As Vladimir Putin wages war
Oil companies are making billions
By price gouging us at the pump
And Republicans are helping them do it
They took millions from Big Oil
And blocked a clean energy plan
That will lower costs for families
They’re leaving us dependent on oil
And at the mercy of foreign dictators
Congressional Republicans
In the pockets of Big Oil
Against American-made clean energy
It all means higher profits for oil companies
And higher gas prices for us

Higher Profits: Rep. Garcia (CA-25) (sample district ad)
As Vladimir Putin wages war
Oil companies are making billions
Price gouging us at the pump
And Mike Garcia is helping them do it
He took big money from Big Oil
And opposed a clean energy plan
That will lower costs for families
He’s leaving us dependent on Big Oil
And at the mercy of foreign dictators
Tell Mike Garcia
Blocking American-made clean energy
Just means higher profits for oil companies
And higher gas prices for us

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