May 18, 2011
Medicare too mainstream for Flake,
but what's his stance on Big Oil?
Senate Republicans vote to protect tax subsidies; Flake mum on how he'd vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- AZGOP congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Flake has already voted to dismantle Medicare, so there's no question where he stands. But when it comes to Big Oil vs. taxpayers, whose side is Flake on? Mainstream Arizonans deserve an answer to that question -- especially since Flake's party leaders in Washington once again picked Big Oil in a vote Tuesday.
Last night, 45 Senate Republicans, including Arizona Sens. Kyl and McCain, voted to protect $21 billion in taxpayer subsidies for Big Oil, even in the face of soaring gas prices and record profits for Big Oil. It's no coincidence that Senate Republicans have consistently protected handouts for Big Oil, even opposing yesterday's proposal to reduce the deficit. They've taken $29 million in contributions from Big Oil since 1990. In all, Flake has voted to protect Big Oil subsidies six times and has accepted more than $60,000 in campaign contributions from the industry.
"Jeff Flake sold out seniors by voting to end Medicare just a few weeks ago, so Arizonans have every right to worry that he'd stand up for Big Oil in the Senate," said Luis Heredia, Arizona Democratic Party executive director. "Flake owes Arizonans some answers -- Big Oil doesn’t need another ally in the Senate.”
BACKGROUND:
Flake has repeatedly voted to protect tax breaks for big oil companies:
HR 245, Vote 293, 5/05/11
HJR 44, Vote 153, 3/01/11
HR 5351, Vote 78, 2/27/08
HR 5351, Vote 80, 2/27/08
HR 6, Vote 40, 1/18/07
HR4297, Vote 109, 4/27/06
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