WASHINGTON – BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg said Wednesday that he was worried about the “small people” hurt by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
In Washington, it may come as little surprise that lobbyists who represent the firm appear to have been concerned about powerful people: members of Congress.
Of the lobbyists’ 53 known fundraising parties for lawmakers and candidates since 2008, 11 took place this calendar year – and four have taken place since the explosion and oil spill at a BP-run drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, according to an analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics of the Sunlight Foundation’s fundraising data and federal lobbying data.
Lobbyists typically represent multiple clients, and it is unknown how many of the events were intended to advance BP’s interests. The numbers are based on data compiled by the Sunlight Foundation, which collects information from anonymous donors. The list is not complete, and it is possible the lobbyists held other fundraisers as well.
Nine of the 11 known fundraisers this year were hosted by lobbyist Tony Podesta or other lobbyists for his firm, the Podesta Group, who represent the company as well as other interests.
Since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in the Gulf on April 20, the four fundraisers held by lobbyists who represent, among other clients, BP are:
•Paul Brathwaite and Cristina Antelo, who both lobby for the Podesta Group were among numerous hosts for a May 26 party benefiting CHC-BOLD PAC, a PAC for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
•Tim Glassco, also a lobbyist for the Podesta Group, was a host of a “young professionals” happy hour on May 25 for Rep. Glen Nye, D-Va.
•Dan Meyer, a lobbyist for the Duberstein Group, was a host of an April 29 event for Carly Fiorina, who was seeking the GOP nomination for a California U.S. Senate seat.
•Podesta and his wife, Heather, hosted an April 28 breakfast for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla.
Other oil and gas concerns have raised cash for lawmakers too, sometimes with uncomfortable timing.
On May 12, executives including BP’s chairman, Lamar McKay, Transocean chief executive Steve Newman and Halliburton’s Timothy Probert appeared before a hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee to discuss responsibility for their respective roles in the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Coast oil spill. About an hour earlier, House Republicans gathered a few blocks away for an “oil and gas breakfast” fundraiser with the oil and gas industry to benefit Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas.
David Donnelly, of the Campaign for Fair Elections, said he wasn’t surprised that fundraisers were held by BP and other oil firm lobbyists.
“The fundraising season in Washington never ends, even when there are disasters like in the Gulf Coast, and when the economy crashes.
“Members of Congress still have to look for money,” Donnelly said. “We need an end to the constant fundraising chase, so members of Congress can work for us, not wealthy donors.”
