'Brainfade' Sali votes to allow oil companies to continue gouging Idahoans

From the Walt Minnick for Congress campaign:

The Minnick for Congress campaign issued a strong rebuke to Bill Sali for his vote today against bipartisan legislation aimed at lowering gas prices by preventing unscrupulous oil companies from gouging drivers.

Moreover, Sali held a "town-hall" tele-conference this evening where he never once mentioned his vote.

"Sali votes to give tax breaks to Big Oil. He votes to help subsidize their record profits. And today he votes to protect Big Oil from angry consumers who are frustrated by price gouging," said Adam Harris, the campaign manager for Walt Minnick. Minnick is running against Sali in Idaho's First Congressional District.

"In 2002, while in the Idaho Legislature, Sali voted against a price-gouging bill. But as recently as Saturday, he said at a press conference that our country needs 'bipartisan solutions' to help lower prices at the pump," Harris said. "Sali showed today that the only thing he's learned in Washington is how to use political spin on Idaho voters."

Sali held a telephone "town hall" today specifically to discuss gas prices. However, not only did he fail to mention his vote today against the price gouging bill, he also failed to mention that the "independent oil company" representative on the call was in fact a from an oil industry association that has donated thousands of dollars to Sali's own campaign.

"One of the few ways we can immediately help consumers struggling with high gas prices is to prevent price gauging by unscrupulous oil companies," Harris said. "Let me be clear: Bill Sali had a choice. He chose to stand against the good people of Idaho and stand up for Big Oil."

The facts about Bill Sali and "Big Oil"

Sali voted against price-gouging legislation while in the Idaho Legislature.

A survey shows that 87 percent of Idahoans favor investigations into price gouging

Fuel costs for Idahoans are higher than ever.

"Big Oil" companies are breaking profit records every quarter.

Sali has raised thousands from "Big Oil."

Sali said he didn't believe oil companies should pay taxes.

Almost three quarters of Sali's money comes from Political Action Committees.

In the current election cycle alone, Sali PAC contributions have included: American Gas Association, Chevron Corporation, Exxon-Mobil, Halliburton, Independent Petroleum Association, Koch Industries, Marathon Oil, Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Assn., Occidental Petroleum, Valero Energy and Williams Companies.

Sali gave a speech calling for more taxpayer-subsidized oil production.

And Sali voted against:

• The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008. The bill (HR 5351) would repeal roughly $18 billion in manufacturing tax credits for oil and gas companies while extending and increasing tax credits for a wide range of renewable energy programs."

• New Direction for Energy Independence Act of 2007. The bill (HR 3221) would make more energy independent by helping businesses and investing in alternative energy.

• Repealing "Big Oil" Subsidies. The bill (HR 6) would have ended the egregious, lavish tax breaks heaped on the world's wealthiest countries.

• Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2007. The bill would have prevented companies from taking advantage of high oil prices and low availability.