President Donald Trump’s “swamp” is particularly rich in fossil fuels.
Oil, gas, and coal interests together poured millions of dollars into Trump’s inaugural fund and reenergized their federal government lobbying efforts during the year’s first three months, according to a Center for Public Integrity analysis of federal disclosures.
It’s a two-pronged strategy that’s apparently paying dividends: The new administration has spent its early days ticking items off the industry wish list.
In all, oil, gas, and coal companies and executives contributed more than $1 out of every $10 raised for Trump’s inauguration, for which he raised nearly $107 million overall. That’s significantly more than the $1 the sector contributed for every $34 President Barack Obama raised overall for his second inauguration, per an analysis from the Center for Responsive Politics.
Meanwhile, the oil and gas industry spent $36.1 million on federal lobbying efforts from Jan. 1 through March 31. That’s an 11 percent increase over the same period last year, Center for Responsive Politics data shows.
Corporations buying influence muscle during the early days of a new presidenti... Read more
