Friend — we reached out earlier this week with the news that negotiations are moving quickly in the House and Senate on a new coronavirus relief package.

In the first bill, we averted a major bailout for the oil industry, stripping $3 billion in direct payouts to oil companies.

Now, after a meeting with oil executives from ExxonMobil, Chevron, Occidental Petroleum, and Continental Resources, Trump has added them to his official task force to reopen the country.

Earlier this week, we warned there would be a new attempt to divert relief funds to the oil and gas industries. It's looking like this may be it. In the lead up to the vote on the next relief package, we're looking for your help.

Please, please, please: make an emergency contribution today. A donor is triple-matching every gift made to LCV right now. Even $5 makes a difference »

This is a fight we have to go big on. The oil industry already receives billions in taxpayer subsidies every year. All of our relief efforts right now should be focused on protecting public health and providing relief for families and small businesses who need it most — NOT helping industries whose pollution makes death from COVID-19 more likely and who perpetuate systemic environmental injustice.

Meanwhile, the next relief package could be a huge opportunity for good. Right now, we have a real shot and passing a stimulus bill that makes strategic investments in environmentally sound industries — and lifts up communities of color and Indigenous communities that have historically borne the brunt of pollution and are being hit hard by COVID-19 right now.

This is a fight we can win — I promise. How do we know that? We already blocked their attempt in the first relief package — we raised hell, and made any bailout for corporate big oil a non-starter. Anti-environment forces in Congress usually make every attempt to stonewall progress, but we're in a moment where they have to come to the table.

But this next vote may move quickly — and if we don't keep up our pressure campaigns, there's no guarantee on how this will go.

The best thing you can do to help right now is make an emergency donation. A donor is still triple matching every contribution.

We need your help to pull this off. Please — make an emergency donation today »

It's a frightening and uncertain time right now. Thank you, sincerely, for keeping the fight up anyway.

Gene Karpinski
President
LCV