US Senate probes Trump's quid pro quo offer to Big Oil

WASHINGTON, May 23 (KUNA) -- The United States Senate Finance and Budget committees launched a joint investigation into reports that former President Donald Trump made quid pro quo propositions to Big Oil executives - promising to roll back climate policies if he were re-elected in exchange for donations to his campaign.
Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., are demanding answers from nine oil and gas companies and their trade associations, the Finance Committee announced in a press release on Thursday.
As has been widely reported, Trump requested USD one billion in campaign contributions from fossil fuel industry executives, promising in turn to roll back environmental regulations, hasten permitting and leasing approvals, and preserve or enhance tax benefits that the oil and gas industry enjoys.
This policies-for-money transaction is particularly concerning given other reports that the oil and gas industry is drafting "ready-to-sign" executive orders eviscerating environmental policies, to be signed by Mr. Trump if elected.
"Time and time again, both Mr. Trump and the U.S. oil and gas industry have proved they are willing to sell out Americans to pad their own pockets," wrote the senators. "As Mr. Trump funnels campaign money into his businesses and uses it as a slush fund to pay his legal fees, Big Oil has been lobbying aggressively to protect and expand its profits at the expense of the American taxpayer.
"And now, emboldened by impunity, Mr. Trump and Big Oil are flaunting their indifference to US citizens' economic well-being for all to see, conferring on how to trade campaign cash for policy changes.
"Such potential abuses must be scrutinized," they stressed.
Among other requests, the senators are seeking documents and information related to: Materials that were distributed to any attendees of the fundraising event at which Trump solicited the quid pro quo, Descriptions of policy proposals discussed at the event, including any promises by former President Trump or his campaign regarding official actions by a possible Trump Administration, Copies of any draft executive orders, regulatory proposals, or other policy-related documents that were created for the purpose of potential use in a possible Trump Administration, All donations made by the companies, any political action committee affiliated with the companies, or any executive officers of the companies to the Trump 2024 campaign, any outside political spending organizations supporting the Trump 2024 campaign, and any organizations incorporated under sections 501(c)(3), (4), or (6) of the Internal Revenue Code since January 1, 2023.
The announcement comes a week after the top Democratic lawmaker on a U.S. House oversight panel sought information from nine oil companies about reports about "quid pro quo propositions" made by former the president at a campaign event this spring at his Mar a Lago resort in Florida. (end) rsr.gb