Cross-posted from Wonk Room.
In a series of hard-hitting television ads, a liberal veterans advocacy organization challenges Republican lawmakers for blocking clean energy legislation that would cut oil funds to terrorists. As part of a $2 million television ad campaign, VoteVets has released a national spot as well as ones targeting Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) for their opposition to climate and clean energy legislation. Other ads challenge representatives in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and South Dakota. As the spots point out, each member has taken thousands of dollars from oil companies that have operations in nations like Iran, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Nigeria, and Algeria. The national ad explains the connection between our dependence on oil and terrorists like Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab:
Terrorists. They’re trying to kill Americans at home and our troops abroad. And who’s footing the bill for the attacks against us? Oil money. Filtered through secret organizations in the Middle East and countries like Iran. When oil money hands up in the hands of our enemies, Americans pay the ultimate price. We’ve got to protect ourselves and end our dependence on foreign oil. Tell Congress: Pass the Clean Energy and American Power Act now.
Watch it:
The local spots are unflinching, featuring local veterans of the Iraq War. Veteran Benjamin Cossel, of Pine Bluffs, Wy. tells Sen. Barrasso to “decide whose side he’s on” — the terrorist-enabling oil companies that have given him $50,500, or the American people:
For thirty years, we’ve been warned about the danger of spending billions of dollars oil. The United States military calls it a major threat to our security. And on Christmas Day over Detroit, we were reminded again how oil money can support terrorism against us. But even today, Sen. John Barrasso won’t break our addiction. And he won’t break his own. Call Sen. Barrasso. It’s time for him to decide whose side he’s on.
Veteran James Sander of Columbia, Mo. challenges Rep. Blunt for taking $151,000 in oil money and voting against the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act:
When a terrorist tried to attack us on Christmas Day, I was reminded why I’m willing to risk my life for America’s security and why we need to stop sending billions in oil money to countries with ties to terrorism. But Congressman Blunt voted against the bipartisan clean energy bill that could cut our dependence in half. And he’s taken thousands from oil companies that do business in countries with ties to terrorism. Congressman: it’s time to put America’s security ahead of your own politics.
George Zubaty, of Louisville, KY takes on the minority leader for taking $150,800 in dirty oil cash:
When a terrorist tried to attack us on Christmas Day, I was reminded why I’m willing to risk my life for America’s security and why we need to stop sending billions in oil money to countries with ties to terrorism. But Sen. Mitch McConnell is against against the bipartisan clean energy bill that could cut our dependence in half. And he’s taken thousands from oil companies that do business in countries with ties to terrorism. Sen. McConnell: it’s time to put America’s security ahead of your own politics.
As the Pentagon’s Quadrennial Defense Review noted, “climate change, energy security, and economic stability are inextricably linked.” And the number one link is our deadly dependence on petroleum.
