GOP lawmaker with BP stock has role in spill probe

[kpete]

Source: Associated Press


GOP lawmaker with BP stock has role in spill probe
AP
By DENNIS CONRAD, Associated Press Writer Dennis Conrad, Associated Press Writer – Thu Jun 10, 4:34 pm ET

WASHINGTON – A multimillionaire House Republican who owns thousands of shares of BP stock has no plans to recuse himself from a congressional investigation related to the Gulf oil spill or from votes on Capitol Hill that could affect his investments in the oil company.

Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin has avoided directly criticizing BP for the spill itself. At the same time, he has watched his BP stock tank in value.

Worth more than $251,000 just a few years ago, Sensenbrenner's 3,604 shares of BP PLC stock had plunged in value to just $118,000 by the end of trading Thursday. That's roughly half their value the day before the April 20 oil spill. Sensenbrenner has said his net worth is about $10 million.

The No. 2 Republican on the House Judiciary Committee and a former chairman, Sensenbrenner has kept a low profile on the issue, but now he's coming out swinging: He has written a letter to President Barack Obama questioning BP's actions and the adequacy of the White House response — but refrains from directly criticizing BP for the spill.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100610/ap_on_bi_ge/us_gulf_oil_spill_sensenbrenner;_ylt=AlgpICmII52doSwEM.YlKWGs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTFlcWZwNGJ0BHBvcwM2OQRzZWMDYWNjb3JkaW9uX3BvbGl0aWNzBHNsawNnb3BsYXdtYWtlcnc-

[pattmarty]

1. What can I say? Sensenbrenner was a shitbag when he was...........

...........the head of the Committee and he's still a shitbag today. Evidently he's an idiot also, since he still holds the stock instead of unloading it when he could.

[wordpix]

2. Should recuse self or be recused---who else on this committee? Clearly a conflict of interest

however, Senselessbrenner is getting his due with his stock tanking. Fucktard.

[ladjf]

3. Why isn't there a law against such obvious conflict of interest ?

[depakid]

5. An enforceable ethics law in 21st Century America?

[ladjf]

7. Oh yea. I forgot, it's not possible. Silly me. nt

[SpiralHawk]

4. Republicon Family Pharisee Values

Ptoooey.

[Catherina]

6. BP has been lobbying hard and giving our lawmakers mucho dinero since the spill

Is there a way for us to find out who and how much right now?