Fwd: Message from Senator Durbin

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <correspondence_reply@durbin.senate.gov>
Date: Apr 19, 2012 3:53 PM
Subject: Message from Senator Durbin
To: <aquarianm@gmail.com>

April 19, 2012

 

 

 

Mr. Daniel Stafford

40 N Tower RD Apt 9n

Oak Brook, IL 60523-1120

 

 

Dear Mr. Stafford:

 

Thank you for contacting me about the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act (S. 2204). I appreciate hearing from you.

 

I co-sponsored S. 2204, introduced by my colleague, Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey. The bill would eliminate certain tax breaks for large oil and gas companies. Half the revenue raised would go to investments in clean alternative energy and the other half to reduce the nation's deficit.

 

The Senate voted on a motion to end the debate of S. 2204 on March 29, 2012. The motion needed 60 votes to end a filibuster but it only received 51 votes. I will continue to support legislation that proposes to end subsidies to oil companies and invest in clean alternative energy sources.

 

The top five oil companies in the country made $137 billion in profits in 2011. It is time to end their taxpayer and federal government funded subsidies. Oil production in the United States is at the highest level it has been in 8 years, with more oil and gas rigs operating in the U.S. than in the rest of the world combined. However, even when the supply of gas is plentiful, the price continues to increase. Until we have alternative sources of energy we will continue to be dependent on oil companies and high gasoline prices.

 

Investing in renewable, sustainable energy research is a step in the right direction in ending our dependence on oil.

I will keep your views in mind as this issue is debated in the Senate.

 

Thank you for contacting me. Please feel free to keep in touch.

 

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin

United States Senator

 

RJD/bkm