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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsExxon Exposed: Greenpeace Tricks Top Lobbyists into Naming Senators They Use to Block Climate Action
Democratic Congressmember Ro Khanna, the chair of the House Oversight Subcommittee on the Environment, has announced plans to ask the CEOs of Exxon and other fossil fuel companies to testify before the committee about their role in blocking congressional action to address the climate emergency. Khanna made the request after Greenpeace UK released a video of two lobbyists discussing Exxons secretive efforts to fight climate initiatives in Washington, revealing how the oil giant supported a carbon tax to appear proactive about climate change while privately acknowledging that such a tax has no chance of being passed. We feature the complete video and speak to one of the activists involved with it. The reality is that almost nothing has changed in the Exxon playbook, says Charlie Kronick, senior climate adviser at Greenpeace UK. This has been going on for decades.
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NARRATOR: This is Keith McCoy, one of ExxonMobils top Capitol Hill lobbyists. And this is Dan Easley. Until February this year, he was Exxons leading White House lobbyist. Unearthed posed as recruitment consultants and told them we had a client who admired their work. Then we interviewed them on Zoom and asked them to tell us what they and the other lobbyists at Exxon have been up to.
ExxonMobil is so powerful that the management suite at its global headquarters is known as the God Pod. Until recently, it was the biggest, richest corporation in the history of the world. For decades, critics have claimed Exxon deploys cynical, aggressive lobbying techniques to pull the strings of government, while running clandestine campaigns to block action on climate change, discredit its opponents and distract attention from its polluting activities. But not one of its serving senior executives has ever come clean about the Exxon playbook until now.
Heres what Dan Easley and Keith McCoy told us. Mr. McCoy revealed that, behind the scenes, the company has been working hard to undermine President Bidens $2 trillion infrastructure plan. The White House proposal included spending hundreds of billions on clean energy and transport as part of the most ambitious clean energy legislation ever proposed by a U.S. president, and it would have been paid for by higher taxes on corporations like Exxon. But these ambitious proposals are on the verge of being defeated. According to Mr. McCoy, Exxon has been working to scale back the legislation and stop Exxon paying more tax. He told us which United States senators the company sought to recruit to their lobbying campaign and theyre not all Republicans.
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REPORTER: Whos the crucial guys for you?
KEITH McCOY: Well, Senator Capito, whos the ranking member on environment and public works. Joe Manchin, I talk to his office every week, and he is the kingmaker on this, because hes a Democrat from West Virginia, which is a very conservative state. And hes not shy about sort of staking his claim early and completely changing the debate. So, on the Democrat side, we look for the moderates on these issues. So its the Manchins. Its the Sinemas. Its the Testers.
NARRATOR: Exxon is even trying to get through to President Biden through his friend, Senator Chris Coons.
KEITH McCOY: One of the other ones that arent talked about is Senator Coons, whos from Delaware, who has a very close relationship with Senator Biden. So weve been working with his office. As a matter of fact, our CEO is talking to him next Tuesday.
Then you take it out a little bit more, and you say, OK, well, whos up for reelection in 2022? Thats Hassan. Thats Kelly. And then, obviously, the Republicans. We have a great relationship with the senators where we have assets. I cant worry about the 2027 class, because theyre not focused on reelection. The 2022 class is focused on reelection, so I know I have them. Those are the Marco Rubios. Those are the Senator Kennedys. Those are the Senator Daines. So, you can have those conversations with them because theyre a captive audience. They know they need you, and I need them.
NARRATOR: Dan Easley left Exxon earlier this year, after nearly eight years lobbying for the corporation. He described just how big a problem Bidens original proposal posed for oil and gas companies.
more transcript & video at link (from a zoom meeting with exxon guys)
https://www.democracynow.org/2021/7/6/exxon_blocks_congressional_action_climate
jmbar2
(4,874 posts)Thanks for posting this link.
BGBD
(3,282 posts)Because that's not "having senators in your pocket." It's lobbying just like every company, industry, and interest group ian the world does.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Link to tweet
Ro Khanna
@RoKhanna
The fossil fuel industry continues to manipulate public opinion and exert undue influence in shaping policy in Congress. I will not rest until we bring the fossil fuel executives in to testify in front of Congress.
🤔 wait a minute...
I guess maybe he doesn't own Exxon stocks.
But somthing's just not squaring here.
I'd like to hear Khanna explain how one can hold $7million in fossil fuel stocks on one hand, & yet be advocating against fossil fuels & pro climate change on the other.
I mean it. I'd REALLY like to hear his explanation.
Because I'm sure he has one to offer up if the question is presented.
How does one do this?
Before Ro Khanna goes outing any Democrat's names, maybe he could give an explanation as to his own million $ fossil fuel stocks.
Just saying. What's up with this.
And Yes, we all have an absolute right to question our reps. All of them.
Thank you.
Beaverhausen
(24,470 posts)Budi
(15,325 posts)Manchin owns $5 million as well, which is why it seems a little weird that Khanna calls out Manchin's beholding to big oil, when he has $7 mill in ff stocks as well.
I have read that Khanna's stock wealth originated from his wife's investments.
But list under his name.
Ya know what?
I'm really getting sick of the political double speak on all sides.
Wtf. Who do we even trust to be straight with their words anymore.
You have to research every damned one of them for honesty. Cripe. This is getting really old.
🙄
CoopersDad
(2,193 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)....website. It's all out there for people to find.
George II
(67,782 posts)Budi
(15,325 posts)Wth
George II
(67,782 posts)BlueLucy
(1,609 posts)His exuse? "Not mine, my wifes."
George II
(67,782 posts)....it's his, too.
He's been estimated to be the 15th richest member of both the House and Senate combined.
BlueLucy
(1,609 posts)Yea, no way in hell he and his wife will divest. Unless, unless it benefits them. He's a damn joke!
George II
(67,782 posts)....difficult to read (scanned into the House system, very small) but you can get an idea of the assets of any Member of Congress here:
https://disclosures-clerk.house.gov/PublicDisclosure/FinancialDisclosure
Cha
(297,180 posts)having $7 Million $$$$ in Fossil Fuel stocks when he advocates Against them!
That'd be kinda like talking about the Virtues of organic Veganism & having stock in fast food chains.
Thank you for that.. I see the link down thread.
https://truthout.org/articles/members-of-congress-own-up-to-93-million-in-fossil-fuel-stocks/?amp
Me.
(35,454 posts)There oughta be a law