Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) used M&M's in clear jars to highlight the difference in Shell's near-term spending on renewable energy versus oil, gas, and chemical operations. (Photo: Screenshot/Katie Porter)
Oct 28, 2021
While congressional Republicans on Thursday repeatedly apologized to Big Oil executives for Democrats' demands that their companies stop lobbying against climate action, progressive lawmakers took turns grilling the fossil fuel industry leaders.
"This is the type of leadership that climate activists have been hungry for."
The questioning came during a U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing that featured testimony from top figures at the fossil fuel companies BP America, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell Oil as well as two trade groups--the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce--and concluded with a subpoena announcement.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), chair of the panel's Subcommittee on the Environment, questioned ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods about the company's long track record of denying climate science, which has been detailed in a series of investigations the past six years.
\u201cExxonMobil CEO refuses to admit to Congress that it is "false", "wrong", "a mistake", or "regretful" to deny the "linkage between fossil fuels and warming", as the company's former CEO Lee Raymond did. #SlipperySix\u201d— Geoffrey Supran (@Geoffrey Supran) 1635439030
The historic hearing was spearheaded by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)--the committee's chair, who announced the subpoena plans at the very end of Thursday's event--and Khanna.
"We are thankful to see the strong leadership from Chairman Khanna today as he holds the fossil fuel industry accountable--they have skated by as they continue to let the Earth burn," said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of the progressive group Our Revolution, in a statement.
"The industry has controlled that narrative for far too long, and today is the first step in exposing the truth to the public," he added. "The no holds barred, fearless approach from climate champion Rep. Khanna is exactly what is needed at this moment."
Like Khanna, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) took aim at ExxonMobil, referencing an expose of the oil giant's lobbying tactics published earlier this year that focused in part on the company's efforts to influence the Build Back Better budget reconciliation bill, for which President Joe Biden announced a watered-down framework Thursday morning.
\u201cWow. Here's the CEO of Exxon admitting to @AOC that he's been on calls with members of Congress about the reconciliation bill.\u201d— Public Citizen (@Public Citizen) 1635448535
Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), known for incorporating props for major hearings, used M&M's in clear jars to highlight the difference in Shell's near-term spending on renewable energy versus oil, gas, and chemical operations.
\u201cShell's CEO said that meeting energy demand while addressing climate change is "one of the defining challenges of our time." But @Shell won't put its money where its mouth is. I made this hypocrisy plain with a simple visual.\u201d— Rep. Katie Porter (@Rep. Katie Porter) 1635454724
Fossil Free Media director Jamie Henn said that in her allotted time, the congresswoman "eviscerates the executives... for their greenwashing and lobbying against climate action."
Porter also addressed leasing public lands to fossil fuel companies--which Biden has so far failed to end, despite his campaign promises.
\u201cFossil Fuel companies are sitting on 13.9 million acres of our federal land they aren't even using\u2014and they want even more.\n\nIf each acre were a grain of rice, that would be 479 pounds. I demonstrated at a hearing with Big Oil \u2b07\ufe0f\u201d— Rep. Katie Porter (@Rep. Katie Porter) 1635448529
"When are you going to cut the check?" Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) asked Chevron CEO Michael Wirth, accusing the company of owing over $50 billion in judgment and settlement debts to communities in 31 countries for "poisoning the planet."
Tlaib also called out Chevron for trying to intimidate Steven Donziger, an American human rights attorney now serving a six-month prison sentence that stems from the oil major targeting him because he sought justice for Indigenous people enduring industry pollution in Ecuador.
\u201cRashida Tlaib accuses Chevron CEO of making $29 million for "poisoning the planet" and says that Chevron owes $50 billion to "communities in 31 countries."\n\nConfused CEO says he has no idea what she's talking about\u201d— X Strategies LLC (@X Strategies LLC) 1635445810
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) blasted Big Oil for pouring money into not only political lobbying but also shadow groups "to fight against our climate justice efforts" while Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) shamed the executives for pushing fossil fuels "despite knowing that promoting them means promoting environmental racism and violence in Black and Brown communities."
\u201c@RepPressley \ud83d\udd25 \ud83d\udc9a @RepCori nailed the environmental racism of the #SlipperySix fossil fuel companies: https://t.co/6MhL7me6z1. \nWe wrote about how one of these companies, Chevron, funds racism, while gallingly claiming solidarity with Black Lives Matter: https://t.co/roxJurlhfl\u201d— Zorka Milin (@Zorka Milin) 1635441652
"Fossil fuel companies have polluted our air, land, and water for profit despite knowing the devastating impact it has on our [communities]," Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) similarly highlighted.
"As one of my colleagues said earlier, I hope that you are ashamed of the future that you contributed for your children and for ours," she told the executives, "and I ask all of you to resign."
\u201cFossil fuel companies have polluted our air, land, and water for profit \u2013 despite knowing the devastating impact it has on our communities.\n \nTemporary profits cannot continue to be prioritized over the future of our planet.\n \nIt\u2019s past time to hold these companies accountable.\u201d— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Rep. Ilhan Omar) 1635455700
Reflecting on the hearing Thursday, Henn wrote that "it was inspiring to see so many Democrats standing up to Big Oil."
"From Rep. Porter using M&Ms to show the industry's paltry investments in renewables to Rep. Bush calling out the industry for its environmental racism and white supremacy, this is the type of leadership that climate activists have been hungry for," Henn continued.
"Let's hope that this sort of bravery is contagious and spreads all the way to the Oval Office," he added, "where President Biden has yet to use the executive authorities at his disposal to truly take on Big Oil and stop the federal approval for dangerous fossil fuel products."
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
alexandria ocasio-cortezayanna pressleybritish petroleum (bp)chevronexxonknewfossil fuelsilhan omarkatie porterpoliticsrashida tlaibro khannashell
While congressional Republicans on Thursday repeatedly apologized to Big Oil executives for Democrats' demands that their companies stop lobbying against climate action, progressive lawmakers took turns grilling the fossil fuel industry leaders.
"This is the type of leadership that climate activists have been hungry for."
The questioning came during a U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing that featured testimony from top figures at the fossil fuel companies BP America, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell Oil as well as two trade groups--the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce--and concluded with a subpoena announcement.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), chair of the panel's Subcommittee on the Environment, questioned ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods about the company's long track record of denying climate science, which has been detailed in a series of investigations the past six years.
\u201cExxonMobil CEO refuses to admit to Congress that it is "false", "wrong", "a mistake", or "regretful" to deny the "linkage between fossil fuels and warming", as the company's former CEO Lee Raymond did. #SlipperySix\u201d— Geoffrey Supran (@Geoffrey Supran) 1635439030
The historic hearing was spearheaded by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)--the committee's chair, who announced the subpoena plans at the very end of Thursday's event--and Khanna.
"We are thankful to see the strong leadership from Chairman Khanna today as he holds the fossil fuel industry accountable--they have skated by as they continue to let the Earth burn," said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of the progressive group Our Revolution, in a statement.
"The industry has controlled that narrative for far too long, and today is the first step in exposing the truth to the public," he added. "The no holds barred, fearless approach from climate champion Rep. Khanna is exactly what is needed at this moment."
Like Khanna, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) took aim at ExxonMobil, referencing an expose of the oil giant's lobbying tactics published earlier this year that focused in part on the company's efforts to influence the Build Back Better budget reconciliation bill, for which President Joe Biden announced a watered-down framework Thursday morning.
\u201cWow. Here's the CEO of Exxon admitting to @AOC that he's been on calls with members of Congress about the reconciliation bill.\u201d— Public Citizen (@Public Citizen) 1635448535
Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), known for incorporating props for major hearings, used M&M's in clear jars to highlight the difference in Shell's near-term spending on renewable energy versus oil, gas, and chemical operations.
\u201cShell's CEO said that meeting energy demand while addressing climate change is "one of the defining challenges of our time." But @Shell won't put its money where its mouth is. I made this hypocrisy plain with a simple visual.\u201d— Rep. Katie Porter (@Rep. Katie Porter) 1635454724
Fossil Free Media director Jamie Henn said that in her allotted time, the congresswoman "eviscerates the executives... for their greenwashing and lobbying against climate action."
Porter also addressed leasing public lands to fossil fuel companies--which Biden has so far failed to end, despite his campaign promises.
\u201cFossil Fuel companies are sitting on 13.9 million acres of our federal land they aren't even using\u2014and they want even more.\n\nIf each acre were a grain of rice, that would be 479 pounds. I demonstrated at a hearing with Big Oil \u2b07\ufe0f\u201d— Rep. Katie Porter (@Rep. Katie Porter) 1635448529
"When are you going to cut the check?" Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) asked Chevron CEO Michael Wirth, accusing the company of owing over $50 billion in judgment and settlement debts to communities in 31 countries for "poisoning the planet."
Tlaib also called out Chevron for trying to intimidate Steven Donziger, an American human rights attorney now serving a six-month prison sentence that stems from the oil major targeting him because he sought justice for Indigenous people enduring industry pollution in Ecuador.
\u201cRashida Tlaib accuses Chevron CEO of making $29 million for "poisoning the planet" and says that Chevron owes $50 billion to "communities in 31 countries."\n\nConfused CEO says he has no idea what she's talking about\u201d— X Strategies LLC (@X Strategies LLC) 1635445810
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) blasted Big Oil for pouring money into not only political lobbying but also shadow groups "to fight against our climate justice efforts" while Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) shamed the executives for pushing fossil fuels "despite knowing that promoting them means promoting environmental racism and violence in Black and Brown communities."
\u201c@RepPressley \ud83d\udd25 \ud83d\udc9a @RepCori nailed the environmental racism of the #SlipperySix fossil fuel companies: https://t.co/6MhL7me6z1. \nWe wrote about how one of these companies, Chevron, funds racism, while gallingly claiming solidarity with Black Lives Matter: https://t.co/roxJurlhfl\u201d— Zorka Milin (@Zorka Milin) 1635441652
"Fossil fuel companies have polluted our air, land, and water for profit despite knowing the devastating impact it has on our [communities]," Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) similarly highlighted.
"As one of my colleagues said earlier, I hope that you are ashamed of the future that you contributed for your children and for ours," she told the executives, "and I ask all of you to resign."
\u201cFossil fuel companies have polluted our air, land, and water for profit \u2013 despite knowing the devastating impact it has on our communities.\n \nTemporary profits cannot continue to be prioritized over the future of our planet.\n \nIt\u2019s past time to hold these companies accountable.\u201d— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Rep. Ilhan Omar) 1635455700
Reflecting on the hearing Thursday, Henn wrote that "it was inspiring to see so many Democrats standing up to Big Oil."
"From Rep. Porter using M&Ms to show the industry's paltry investments in renewables to Rep. Bush calling out the industry for its environmental racism and white supremacy, this is the type of leadership that climate activists have been hungry for," Henn continued.
"Let's hope that this sort of bravery is contagious and spreads all the way to the Oval Office," he added, "where President Biden has yet to use the executive authorities at his disposal to truly take on Big Oil and stop the federal approval for dangerous fossil fuel products."
While congressional Republicans on Thursday repeatedly apologized to Big Oil executives for Democrats' demands that their companies stop lobbying against climate action, progressive lawmakers took turns grilling the fossil fuel industry leaders.
"This is the type of leadership that climate activists have been hungry for."
The questioning came during a U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing that featured testimony from top figures at the fossil fuel companies BP America, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell Oil as well as two trade groups--the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce--and concluded with a subpoena announcement.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), chair of the panel's Subcommittee on the Environment, questioned ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods about the company's long track record of denying climate science, which has been detailed in a series of investigations the past six years.
\u201cExxonMobil CEO refuses to admit to Congress that it is "false", "wrong", "a mistake", or "regretful" to deny the "linkage between fossil fuels and warming", as the company's former CEO Lee Raymond did. #SlipperySix\u201d— Geoffrey Supran (@Geoffrey Supran) 1635439030
The historic hearing was spearheaded by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)--the committee's chair, who announced the subpoena plans at the very end of Thursday's event--and Khanna.
"We are thankful to see the strong leadership from Chairman Khanna today as he holds the fossil fuel industry accountable--they have skated by as they continue to let the Earth burn," said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of the progressive group Our Revolution, in a statement.
"The industry has controlled that narrative for far too long, and today is the first step in exposing the truth to the public," he added. "The no holds barred, fearless approach from climate champion Rep. Khanna is exactly what is needed at this moment."
Like Khanna, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) took aim at ExxonMobil, referencing an expose of the oil giant's lobbying tactics published earlier this year that focused in part on the company's efforts to influence the Build Back Better budget reconciliation bill, for which President Joe Biden announced a watered-down framework Thursday morning.
\u201cWow. Here's the CEO of Exxon admitting to @AOC that he's been on calls with members of Congress about the reconciliation bill.\u201d— Public Citizen (@Public Citizen) 1635448535
Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), known for incorporating props for major hearings, used M&M's in clear jars to highlight the difference in Shell's near-term spending on renewable energy versus oil, gas, and chemical operations.
\u201cShell's CEO said that meeting energy demand while addressing climate change is "one of the defining challenges of our time." But @Shell won't put its money where its mouth is. I made this hypocrisy plain with a simple visual.\u201d— Rep. Katie Porter (@Rep. Katie Porter) 1635454724
Fossil Free Media director Jamie Henn said that in her allotted time, the congresswoman "eviscerates the executives... for their greenwashing and lobbying against climate action."
Porter also addressed leasing public lands to fossil fuel companies--which Biden has so far failed to end, despite his campaign promises.
\u201cFossil Fuel companies are sitting on 13.9 million acres of our federal land they aren't even using\u2014and they want even more.\n\nIf each acre were a grain of rice, that would be 479 pounds. I demonstrated at a hearing with Big Oil \u2b07\ufe0f\u201d— Rep. Katie Porter (@Rep. Katie Porter) 1635448529
"When are you going to cut the check?" Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) asked Chevron CEO Michael Wirth, accusing the company of owing over $50 billion in judgment and settlement debts to communities in 31 countries for "poisoning the planet."
Tlaib also called out Chevron for trying to intimidate Steven Donziger, an American human rights attorney now serving a six-month prison sentence that stems from the oil major targeting him because he sought justice for Indigenous people enduring industry pollution in Ecuador.
\u201cRashida Tlaib accuses Chevron CEO of making $29 million for "poisoning the planet" and says that Chevron owes $50 billion to "communities in 31 countries."\n\nConfused CEO says he has no idea what she's talking about\u201d— X Strategies LLC (@X Strategies LLC) 1635445810
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) blasted Big Oil for pouring money into not only political lobbying but also shadow groups "to fight against our climate justice efforts" while Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) shamed the executives for pushing fossil fuels "despite knowing that promoting them means promoting environmental racism and violence in Black and Brown communities."
\u201c@RepPressley \ud83d\udd25 \ud83d\udc9a @RepCori nailed the environmental racism of the #SlipperySix fossil fuel companies: https://t.co/6MhL7me6z1. \nWe wrote about how one of these companies, Chevron, funds racism, while gallingly claiming solidarity with Black Lives Matter: https://t.co/roxJurlhfl\u201d— Zorka Milin (@Zorka Milin) 1635441652
"Fossil fuel companies have polluted our air, land, and water for profit despite knowing the devastating impact it has on our [communities]," Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) similarly highlighted.
"As one of my colleagues said earlier, I hope that you are ashamed of the future that you contributed for your children and for ours," she told the executives, "and I ask all of you to resign."
\u201cFossil fuel companies have polluted our air, land, and water for profit \u2013 despite knowing the devastating impact it has on our communities.\n \nTemporary profits cannot continue to be prioritized over the future of our planet.\n \nIt\u2019s past time to hold these companies accountable.\u201d— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Rep. Ilhan Omar) 1635455700
Reflecting on the hearing Thursday, Henn wrote that "it was inspiring to see so many Democrats standing up to Big Oil."
"From Rep. Porter using M&Ms to show the industry's paltry investments in renewables to Rep. Bush calling out the industry for its environmental racism and white supremacy, this is the type of leadership that climate activists have been hungry for," Henn continued.
"Let's hope that this sort of bravery is contagious and spreads all the way to the Oval Office," he added, "where President Biden has yet to use the executive authorities at his disposal to truly take on Big Oil and stop the federal approval for dangerous fossil fuel products."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.