Duckworth: Cheney Backs Roskam as Reliable Supporter of Big Oil

DUCKWORTH: CHENEY BACKS ROSKAM AS RELIABLE SUPPORTER OF BIG OIL

State senator Peter Roskam would be a reliable supporter of Big Oil in Congress, a fact highlighted by Vice President Dick Cheney is headlining a fundraiser for him today, charged Democratic congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth.

Duckworth noted that Roskam has already raised nearly $45,000 from oil & energy industry sources in his campaign for Illinois' 6th District seat (1). "Dick Cheney is the architect of the Bush Administration's energy policy, which was written with oil company executives behind the closed doors of his office," Duckworth charged. " And the Republican Congress has been completely compliant, showering the oil industry with $14 billion in taxpayer subsidies while that industry enjoyed the greatest profit in history last year."

"While President Bush has belatedly talked about the need for energy independence, this Administration takes its marching orders from the oil interests that generously fill Republican Party coffers," Duckworth said. "They've already opened their wallets for Peter Roskam, who will be a reliable supporter of Big Oil in Congress." Duckworth said that the federal government needs to get serious about cutting its dependence on oil, which requires Members of Congress who'll put our national interests ahead of special interests like Big Oil. She's offered plans to boost the production and use of alternative fuels like E-85 and bio-diesel -- plans that are being sabotaged by oil companies that would rather profit from the continued high price of gasoline. "For Americans who are serious about breaking our dependence on oil - not just in word, but in deed -- we need leaders in Washington willing to stand up to the oil industry," Duckworth said. "By taking thousands of dollars from oil interests, and reaping thousands more today with help from Big Oil's champion in the White House, Peter Roskam has proved that he's on the wrong side in this fight." "During this campaign, I have spoken about the need to develop alternative energy source and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil," she said. "Pete Roskam offers no alternative—he's more of the same, and his own dependence on oil money will stand in the way of change."

Duckworth's proposals include:

* Passage of bipartisan legislation to improve gas-mileage standards, such as the bill proposed by Reps. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), H.R. 3762, that could lead to savings of more than 2.6 million barrels of oil per day.

* Encouraging the availability of alternative fuels—including e85 and b20— that are not readily available at neighborhood gas pumps, and ensuring that automakers are living up to warranties for drivers who use such fuels.

* The development of renewable energy sources; and

* Ending subsidies and tax breaks for the oil industry, including rescidning the $14 billion given-away to the highly profitable oil industry contained in last year's energy bill—an amount almost equal to the cuts this Congress made in student loans.

To help drivers find where they can fill-up their cars with alternative fuels, Duckworth has posted a list of such sites on her website. Voters can visit the "Help for You" section of www.duckworthforcongress.com to get more information.

"We all know that oil and water don't mix. Unfortunately, in the case of Peter Roskam and Dick Cheney, oil and fundraising continue to mix. As a result, we have to worry that Pete Roskam will not help us clean our environment or clean up the ethics mess in Washington, D.C."

http://www.duckworthforcongress.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=74&Itemid=15