Energy Booster

"If you look at the whole package," Aurilio said, the subsidies are "2-1, dirty to clean [energy sources]."

Read here for PIRG's full report on the energy bill subsidies.

Energy Contributes Big to Republicans

The energy sector is one of the most powerful in Washington. It has contributed about $183 million to presidential and congressional campaigns since 1990, with three-quarters of those dollars going to Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

The top 10 contributors among energy companies -- a list that includes Exxon Mobil, Marathon Oil and the American Gas Association -- contributed an average of 83 percent of their dollars to Republicans.

And Bush received $2.6 million from the industry in the 2004 election cycle compared to John Kerry, who received $300,000.

In the Senate, 25 Democrats joined 49 Republicans in supporting the new energy bill. And in the House, 75 Democrats joined 200 Republicans.

Aurilio said some members of both parties demanded what amounted essentially to pork as a condition for supporting the legislation, and the net result was much like the highway bill that passed this week, a piece loaded down with swine.

Steven Weiss, a spokesman for the Center for Responsive Politics, said it's difficult to make a direct correlation between money and votes. And no politician would ever acknowledge that campaign money affects his or her vote.

"Energy companies have a history of long-standing influence in Washington. Just as with any influential industry or group, the public ought to keep careful watch on legislation that the group cares a lot about. The public ought to decide for itself whether this is a bill that will serve America's long-term energy needs and to what extent it gives beneficial treatment to big campaign donors."

The Pocketbook Effect

The GOP has been able to accomplish some of its top economic priorities this year, passing new laws overhauling bankruptcy laws and promoting domestic energy exploration and conservation.

But none of its measures seem to be resonating with the public. The president's overall approval rating remains low, and Congress's rating is the lowest since 1994 when Democrats last controlled both chambers.

New polls out this week suggest majorities of the public continue to disapprove of the president's handling of the economy. Some Republicans are complaining that the media is not reporting the good news of economic expansion and job creation.