Here in Kentucky’s First Congressional District, we call our Congressman Exxon Eddie. It is a fitting moniker. Not only because Eddie owns a lot of Exxon and Chevron stock that are making him richer on the backs of the American consumer, but because Exxon Eddie uses his votes to be a shill for the Big Oil Industry. Lets look at some of these votes.
In 2001, we had his vote # 2001-311 on HR 4. Here is a summary:
Amendment to maintain the current prohibition on oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by striking language opening the reserve up to development.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Hou…
Yes, Exxon Eddie voted for the raping of the pristine Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge. Despite the fact that many people believe that the oil in ANWR will provide little relief at the pump, and have little long-term affect of the problem of Energy Dependence. It is all about profit, not finding solutions for everyday Americans and Kentuckians.
Moving on, in Aug., 2001 Exxon Eddie voted against CAFE standards in HR 4, vote 2001-317:
Require a combined corporate average fuel efficiency [CAFE] standard for passenger automobiles and light trucks, including sport utility vehicles, of 26 mpg in 2005 and of 27.5 mpg in 2007. It also would offer incentives for alternative fuel vehicles.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Hou…
Then in Nov. 2003, you had his vote on HR 6, number 2003-630 which was a rubber-stamp of the Bush-Cheney Energy Bill of Corporate Welfare to the Oil and Energy Companies:
Energy Omnibus bill: Vote to adopt the conference report on the bill that would put into practice a comprehensive national policy for energy conservation, research and development. The bill would authorize a $25.7 billion tax break over a 10-year period. The tax breaks would include $11.9 billion to promote oil and gas production, $2.5 billion for “clean coal” programs, $2.2 billion in incentives for alternative motor vehicles, and $1.8 billion for the electric power industry and other businesses. A natural gas pipeline from Alaska would be authorized an $18 billion loan guarantee. The bill would call for producers of Ethanol to double their output. Makers of the gasoline additive MTBE would be protected from liability. They would be required though to cease production of the additive by 2015. Reliability standards would be imposed for electricity transmissions networks, through this bill. The bill would also ease the restrictions on utility ownership and mergers.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Hou…
In June of 2004, with another loving rubber-stamp to the Bush Administration he voted for yet another Bush-Cheney Energy Bill of big Corporate Welfare to Big Oil and Energy with HR 4503 vote number 2004-241:
Vote to pass a bill that would put into practice a comprehensive national policy for energy conservation, research and development. The bill would authorize o $25.7 billion tax break over a 10-year period. The tax breaks would include $11.9 billion to promote oil and gas production, $2.5 billion for “clean coal” programs, $2.2 billion in incentives for alternative motor vehicles, and $1.8 billion for the electric power industry and other businesses. A natural gas pipeline from Alaska would be authorized an $18 billion loan guarantee. It would add to the requirement that gasoline sold in the United States contain a specified volume of ethanol. Makers of the gasoline additive MTBE would be protected from liability. They would be required though to cease production of the additive by 2015. Reliability standards would be imposed for electricity transmissions networks, through this bill. The bill would also ease the restrictions on utility ownership and mergers.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Hou…
And what did Bush, Cheney, McConnell, and Exxon Eddie’s “vision” on Energy policy bring us? Record high gas prices and a recession. All the while men like Bush, Cheney, McConnell, and Exxon Eddie have become quite wealthy with their investments.
Next, in Jan. of 2007, we have Exxon Eddie once again voting his stock options and protecting the huge record profits of Big Oil on HR 6 vote number 2007-040:
Creating Long-term Energy Alternatives for the Nation (CLEAN) Act
Title I: Ending Subsidies for Big Oil Act–denying a deduction for income attributable to domestic production of oil, natural gas, or their related primary products.
Title II: Royalty Relief for American Consumers Act–to incorporate specified price thresholds for royalties on oil & gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico.
Title III: Strategic Energy Efficiency And Renewables Reserve–makes the Reserve available to accelerate the use of clean domestic renewable energy resources and alternative fuels.
This legislation seeks to end the unwarranted tax breaks & subsidies which have been lavished on Big Oil over the last several years, at a time of record prices at the gas pump and record oil industry profits. Big Oil is hitting the American taxpayer not once, not twice, but three times. They are hitting them at the pump, they are hitting them through the Tax Code, and they are hitting them with royalty holidays put into oil in 1995 and again in 2005.
It is time to vote for the integrity of America’s resources, to vote for the end of corporate welfare, to vote for a new era in the management of our public energy resources.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Hou…
Finally, although we find this on his campaign website:
High energy costs weigh on every Kentucky family and that is why Congressman Whitfield has been focused on alternative energy solutions like clean coal technology, ethanol, bio diesel and coal gasification to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
http://www.whitfieldforcongres…
We have this vote on HR 3321 vote number 2007-0832 for investment in renewables:
H.R.3221: New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act: Moving toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, modernizing our energy infrastructure, and providing tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation.
Rep. PELOSI: This bill makes the largest investment in homegrown biofuels in history. We know that America’s farmers will fuel America’s independence. We will send our energy dollars to middle America, not to the Middle East.
Rep. TIERNEY: This bill incorporates the Green Jobs Act, which will make $120 million a year available to begin training workers in the clean energy sector. 35,000 people per year can benefit from vocational education for “green-collar jobs” that can provide living wages & upward mobility.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Hou…
I think it is clear to see where Exxon Ed Whitfield’s priorities lie. They lie with the profits of the Big Oil Corporations he is invested in and not with the interests of the American people. We should be finding new solutions to old problems, not investing in the old ways that have failed.
It is time for Exxon Eddie to move on. He has held this seat for too long after promising to only serve two terms. He has been a constant vote against progress in Kentucky or anywhere else in America.
We have an awesome grassroots candidate who needs our support to unseat Exxon Eddie and expand our Congressional majorities. Her name is Heather Ryan. We desperately need the resources to get our message out to the 63% of registered Democrats in this district about the horrible record Exxon Ed Whitfield has done in their name.
Visit Heather’s site here:
http://www.ryanforkentucky.com/
Join our campaign of fighting for grassroots Democrat values here:
http://visitor.constantcontact…
Finally, please consider helping me in my bid to raise $1500 online for Heather by May 20. I am less than $100 from halfway to my goal.
http://www.actblue.com/page/am…
Whatever you do, and however you can do it, please support your fellow “Fighting Democrats” in Kentucky’s First District.
Best wishes Fellow Democrats!!