Political Quotes

“as we consider this energy bill, here are a few numbers we might want to keep in mind: $7.4 billion. That was Exxon Mobil's income in the second quarter, an increase of 32 percent. Net profit at Shell rose 35 percent, going from $4 billion to $5.5 billion. BP's second-quarter profits soared by 29 percent, revenues were $5 billion. ConocoPhillips' earnings up 33 percent. One more number: $14.5 billion. That is the total amount of taxpayer hand-outs to oil and gas companies in this bill, the same companies reporting very good profit margins. With oil at $60 a barrel, not $14, not $28, not $32, we are paying oil companies to execute their business plans. So American taxpayers, American consumers are being asked to pay twice, once at the pump and then again on April 15. The sad truth is that this conference report is a lost opportunity. There are some very, very good provisions in the bill, but instead we have missed an opportunity to present a comprehensive energy policy and filled it instead with gifts to Big Oil. We could have accomplished things on conservation, we could have accomplished things on renewable sources, but we chose to give $14 billion of taxpayer money away to companies to do their business plans. I urge a ``no'' vote.”