O'Neill Blasts Record Profits for Oil Companies, Calls on LaTourette to Sever Ties to Big Oil
'This is just not right,' candidate says. 'The oil companies are ripping us off and Steve LaTourette is running interference for them in the halls of Congress.'
Wickliffe, Ohio (July 31, 2008) – Democratic congressional candidate Bill O'Neill slammed the major oil companies, which reported record profits this week at a time when Americans were paying record prices at the pumps. In the statement, O'Neill criticized Rep. Steve LaTourette for his consistent opposition to a windfall profits tax, as well as his consistent support for billions in tax giveaways for Big Oil companies.
"This is just not right. The oil companies are ripping us off and Steve LaTourette is running interference for them in the halls of Congress," O'Neill said. "There is a party going on at Exxon Mobil today while the people of Northeast Ohio can't afford to get to work because of record prices at the pumps. Steve LaTourette has consistently opposed forcing the oil companies to do the right thing and has continued to vote for billions in tax giveaways for these companies. He even went as far as to propose giving these oil companies taxpayer-funded bonuses in the way of gas rebates. Now if that isn't a sweetheart deal, I don't know what is."
According to Oil Change International's "Follow the Oil Money" site, LaTourette has received more than $29,000 from oil and gas companies since 2000 and has voted in the industry's favor 82% of the time. OpenSecrets.org reports LaTourette's career receipts from the energy industry at more than $283,000.
"Congressman LaTourette's policies have kept the party raging over at Exxon. It's no wonder Ohio voters are starting to wonder whose side he's on," O'Neill said. "When you send me to Congress, there's not ever going to be a question of who I'm fighting for."
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