Rep. Joe Barton and oil industry have long history
The Texas Republican, who called the BP oil spill fund created at the White House's insistence a 'shakedown,' is among Washington's top recipients of industry donations.
Rep. Joe L. Barton of Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee who apologized to BP for what he termed a White House "shakedown," has a long history of helping the oil and gas industry on Capitol Hill.
Though energy interests have long played a big role in the lives of Texas congressional members and their constituents, Barton has strong financial ties that run through his personal and public life.
The industry has been Barton's biggest patron since 1999, donating more than $1.4 million to his campaigns. The figure puts him above all House members for industry donations, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Many of Barton's colleagues were stunned this week when he apologized to BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward for the establishment of the $20-billion escrow fund to benefit oil spill victims, which the White House negotiated with the company. At the nationally televised hearing, Barton said it was "a tragedy of the first proportion that a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown."
Within hours he apologized for his apology. But Democrats have already begun using it to raise funds and support, sending out Internet video advertisements and donation appeals.
Since 1990, Barton has received about $27,300 from BP officials and political action committees. The amount places him among the top recipients in Washington but well below President Obama, who has been the leading recipient of BP cash, with about $77,000, according to the center.
Click for Full Text!
