Lafayette Reporter

MADISONVILLE, La. – Republican Senators, including John Kennedy, Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell, and Lindsey Graham, have criticized Democrats for what they perceive as political interference in the review of oil and gas mergers.

The Senators, along with 34 other Republican colleagues, called on Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Lina Khan to ensure a fair and unbiased assessment of recently announced oil and gas mergers. This move comes in response to Senate Democrats' request for the FTC to investigate major energy acquisitions based on what the Republicans describe as misleading and false allegations.

In a letter to Chairwoman Khan, the Republican Senators emphasized the importance of conducting a review based on facts and law, free from political influence. They expressed concern that the Democrats' letter contained speculative claims about the impact of the mergers on climate science and legislation, urging for a focus on evidence and economic realities.

The Senators highlighted a specific issue where the Democrats allegedly asked the FTC to overlook the potential benefits of increased oil production resulting from the mergers. They stressed the need for a thorough and unbiased evaluation that considers the impacts on consumers, workers, and national energy security.

The Republican Senators concluded by requesting that the FTC uphold a fair review process that adheres to established antitrust precedent and does not unfairly target the oil and gas industry to serve a political agenda aimed at ending fossil fuel production.

The full text of the letter can be accessed for further reference.