In the weekly Republican online address this past weekend, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) accused opponents of the Keystone XL pipeline — a multibillion-dollar proposal by TransCanada , which would transport oil from Canada across the U.S. to refineries in Texas — of prioritizing the environment over jobs.

While Scott might be in line with his party on the issue, his particular interest in the pipeline may also have something to do with a long history of ties to energy interests, who have helped fund his campaigns over the years.

Prior to his appointment to former South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint ‘s seat earlier this year, Scott was re-elected to the state’s First Congressional District by a landslide with the help of about $62,000 from the energy and natural resources sector , according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. Since his first federal election cycle in 2010, Scott has received $147,000 from the sector, with about 85 percent of it coming from PACs.

Just months into the 2014 election cycle, voters in the energy and natural resources sector already have contributed $55,000 with PAC money accounting for the vast majority, according to OpenSecrets.org.

Specifically, the oil and gas industry –which stands to profit from the Keystone Pipeline–has given Scott just more than $53,000 throughout his career and about $20,000 in the 2014 election cycle alone.



For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center: Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics.For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center: [email protected]

Help us keep government accountable by making a donation today.



