Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org, (202) 495-3022
WASHINGTON, D.C.— This afternoon, advocates delivered phony checks to Senators considering a vote in favor of a tax bill that includes a provision to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Sens. Rubio, Heller and Corker previously voiced hesitation about specific parts of the bill but are now considering voting yes along party lines. The check amounts indicated each Senator’s-- Rubio, Heller and Corker’s-- campaign contributions from oil and gas interests. In addition to letting oil companies drill in the Arctic, the legislation includes sizeable tax breaks for the fossil fuel industry.
In response, Athan Manuel, Land Protection Program Director at Sierra Club, issued the following response:
“Fossil fuel investments in the Senate seem to be paying off. Big oil is getting a huge government handout with this tax scam.
“The Arctic drilling rider has no place in a tax bill. For centuries, the Gwich’in Nation has survived on caribou from the Refuge’s coastal plain which would be harmed by drilling. This undemocratic move is an environmental disaster and a grave violation of human rights.
“This tax bill hurts American families, sells out one of the world’s last wild places and will have irreversible effects for years to come. These senators should listen to their constituents and vote against this tax scheme.”
Photos of the delivery are here.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.