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Politics

House passes $18-billion in new taxes on big oil companies

WASHINGTON

The House approved $18-billion in new taxes on the largest oil companies Wednesday as Democrats cited record oil prices and rising gasoline costs in a time of economic troubles. The bill would roll back two lucrative tax breaks for the five largest U.S. oil companies.

The money collected over 10 years would provide tax breaks for wind, solar and other alternative energy sources and for energy conservation.

The legislation, approved 236-182, would cost the five largest oil companies an average of $1.8-billion a year over that period, according an analysis by the House Ways and Means Committee. Those companies earned $123-billion last year.

Senate Democratic leaders said they would put the bill on a fast track and try to avoid a Republican filibuster.

President Bush is expected to veto the legislation if it passes Congress.

WASHINGTON

House panel approves increase for AIDS relief

The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday voted to more than triple spending for a global AIDS program that has proven to be one of the Bush administration's most successful and popular foreign policy initiatives. It would spend an average of $10-billion annually over the next five years.

While the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has wide bipartisan support, the White House and many Republicans objected to the original Democratic-crafted draft because it removed a provision requiring that a certain amount be spent on abstinence programs and bolstered links between AIDS treatment and family planning.

A compromise eliminates the clause requiring that one-third of all HIV prevention funds be spent on abstinence, instead directing the administration to promote "balanced funding for prevention activities."

WASHINGTON

EPA head questioned about waiver

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency refused to say Wednesday whether the White House sought to influence his decision denying California a waiver needed to implement a tailpipe emissions-reduction law. Appearing before the Senate Environment Committee, EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson deflected repeated questions about any White House role in the decision in December blocking California and at least 16 other states from implementing the emissions reductions. Johnson acknowledged having routine discussions about the issue with White House officials but refused to say whether they gave any input.

WASHINGTON

Bush names envoy to Islamic group

President Bush, acknowledging that the United States needs to burnish its image in the Islamic world, named a Texas entrepreneur as liaison to the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Sada Cumber, who is a Muslim by faith, is the first U.S. special envoy to the intergovernmental organization, which represents more than 50 Islamic states and promotes Muslim solidarity in social and political affairs. Bush said Cumber will explain to the Islamic world that America "is a friend of freedom" and that it values the freedom of religion.

[Last modified February 28, 2008, 01:21:56]