Labor Day Countdown: Rehberg Defends Tax Giveaways for Super-Rich, Big Oil

The following is a part of a series of Congressman Rehberg’s worst quotes  and votes against the middle class, leading up to Labor Day.

Millionaire Congressman Dennis Rehberg has consistently opposed ending loopholes for Big Oil and his fellow millionaires.  He’s even held on to these irresponsible giveaways when ending them could have meant shoring up Medicare and Social Security.

And when Congressman Rehberg gives away another tax cut to his fellow millionaires, he’s helping out his own bottom line, too.

Here are just a few examples of Congressman Rehberg’s support for the most powerful Americans at the expense of Medicare and Social Security for Montana families:

• Cut, Cap Balance Would Have Made it Nearly Impossible to Close Tax Loopholes for Millionaires – The controversial Cut, Cap, Balance plan would have required a 2/3rds majority to end loopholes for millionaires, despite delivering huge cuts to Medicare and Social Security [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 7/27/11, Roll Call Vote #690, 8/1/11].
• Supported Enron-Style Offshore Tax Loopholes -- In 2002, Rehberg voted against an amendment to stop corporations from re-incorporating in offshore tax havens, such as Bermuda, to create shell corporations as a way to avoid paying U.S. taxes.  The amendment was defeated 186-192.  [HR 4931, Vote #247, 6/21/02]
• Rehberg Opposed Reducing Deficit By $53 Billion By Closing Loophole Allowing Oil Companies to Drill Without Paying Royalties. In February 2011, Rehberg voted against the Markey (MA) Amendment (#27) that required oil companies that hold royalty-free leases allowing them to drill for free on the public's offshore lands to renegotiate those leases so that the public is paid the standard royalty charged for drilling. (GAO estimates that closing this loophole could save up to $53 billion over 25 years). [HR 1, House Roll Call Vote #109, 2/18/11]