Let's see if the Democrats can pin this on the GOP and make it stick. This is a quote from the WALL STREET JOURNAL, the quote that ends the story blogs.wsj.com/...:
Simon Taylor, co-founding director of the group Global Witness, said in a statement that the move on the extractive rule and the nomination of Mr. Tillerson show “not only do [the administration and Congress] think corruption is perfectly acceptable, but that they intend to become proactive enablers of corruption.”
Here's how WSJ describes the rule:
The rule, which was established by the Dodd-Frank Act, requires oil, gas and mining companies to disclose the payments they make to foreign governments for things such as licenses and permits needed for development. Activists and industry observers have said for years such payments can be used to hide bribes . . .
CNN notes that the GOP Rep leading the charge to eliminate the rule is in the pocket of the oil industry www.cnn.com/...:
Michigan Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga is leading the charge for the rule's repeal
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His opponents say he is acting on behalf of an industry with a strong lobby. According to OpenSecrets.org, Huizenga's campaign received $46,050 from oil and gas interests.
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-California, ranking member of the House Committee on Financial Services, responded to Huizenga's resolution, saying in a statement, "the American people have a right to know where Big Oil is drilling and who they're paying, especially if it involves countries that have been hostile to the United States."