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Tuesday, Mar. 22, 2022

Do some members of Congress invest in fossil fuels?

Lisa Freedland, Gigafact

yes

At least 28 Senators and 100 members of the House are invested in fossil fuels, according to Sludge, a news outlet that reports on money in politics.

Fifty-nine of the House members were Republicans while 41 were Democrats. The 10 members of Congress most invested in fossil fuels were Republican. Some of these legislators sit on committees related to climate and the environment. Their investments include "corporate stocks, oil wells, and shares in energy industry funds."

Over the past decade, fossil fuel investments have lost roughly $123 billion in value, nearly 20%, while clean energy investments have gained $77 billion in value. In 2021, senators collectively held $12.6 million in fossil fuel investments, down from $14.5 million in 2019. Sludge has not published 2021 figures for the House, but in 2019 House members reportedly held as much as $78.2 million.

Congress is expected to vote on legislation banning members from trading stocks later this year.

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