take a look at the money behind the energy legislation

the report, including charts showing the campaign giving of energy and environmental interests to Congress, is available online at <http://www.capitaleye.org/inside.asp?ID=112>.)

It would be an understatement to say there is a lot riding on the Senate vote on comprehensive energy legislation, which GOP leaders are trying to push through the Senate today. (Earlier today, supporters fell short in an effort to bring the legislation to a vote.) The stakes are huge for President Bush, who made passage of a national energy plan a keystone of his 2000 presidential campaign, and for lawmakers of both parties, who are eager to address voter concerns about electricity blackouts and increasing fuel prices.
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An analysis of votes and campaign contributions in the recently passed House bill shows that House members who voted "yes" raised an average of nearly three times as much from energy interests as those who voted "no." Members who voted for the bill have raised an average of $96,847 in individual and PAC contributions from electric utilities, mining companies and oil and gas companies since 1999. Members who voted against the bill have raised an average of $33,841 from those industries over the same period.

Lawmakers who supported the bill received similar amounts, on average, regardless of party. House Republicans voting "yes" have raised an average of $97,319 from energy interests since 1999, slightly more than the average $94,792 collected by House Democrats who supported the measure.

The 25 House Republicans who opposed the bill have taken in an average of $41,193 from energy interests since 1999, significantly more than the average $32,866 raised by the 154 House Democrats who voted against it. Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who also voted "no," has raised $200 from energy interests over the same period.
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:kick:

pretty obvious where the motivation is. The charts are effective.

:kick: