View the updated analysis.
Washington, D.C. — Ahead of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology hearing tomorrow, the Center for American Progress Action Fund has released an updated analysis of dirty energy campaign contributions received by members of Congress who deny the science behind climate change. Currently the 182 climate deniers in Congress are all Republicans who, as of this month, have received more than $80 million from oil, gas, and coal companies.
Out of these 182 Republican climate deniers, 15 hold seats on the House Science, Space, and Technology committee. In total, all 22 Republicans in the committee have received $4,160,666 in dirty energy contributions.
The findings come ahead of the committee’s hearing Wednesday, which escalates Chairman Lamar Smith’s (R-TX) crusade against state attorneys general who are probing ExxonMobil Corporation for defrauding its shareholders and customers by misleading the public on the dangers of climate change. Rep. Lamar Smith has received nearly $700,000—more than all the members in the committee—in dirty energy campaign contributions.
Continuing the rhetoric of denial on Wednesday, Rep. Lamar Smith will host a panel of “experts” who also deny the science behind climate change and have been funded by the oil, gas, and coal industry.
“While 97 percent of scientists agree that climate change is real and caused by human activity, there are still elected leaders who follow the money against the interests of their constituents,” stated Kristen Ellingboe, Senior Researcher for CAP Action. “We can’t allow the same cover-up and pay-off tactics that allowed tobacco companies to devastate the lives of many people to be repeated, especially when the stakes are much higher. Members of Congress have a responsibility to pursue the truth and protect the well-being of the American people—and not deliberately interfere with legitimate state investigations to protect major campaign donors.”
The updated findings also include new figures that demonstrate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)—who has often evaded questions on the effects of rising sea levels in Florida—taking in $803,267 from the dirty energy industry. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)—a climate denier who has voted against lowering greenhouse gas emissions—has also received $3,480,702 from the industry.
To view the complete analysis on the climate denier caucus, visit cap.af/1QEiu4g.
To be speak to an expert on the issue, please contact Beatriz Lopez at [email protected] or call 202-741-6255.