The White House doubled down Wednesday on President Obama’s criticism of the billionaire Koch brothers, saying the prominent conservatives have benefited from “paralysis” in Washington that protects the oil and gas industry.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Koch Industries “has spent at least tens of thousand of dollars” lobbying Congress to support policies in opposition to Mr. Obama’s renewable-energy agenda and have spent millions of dollars “punishing candidates” who oppose their position.
The president said Monday that Charles and David Koch were acting in ways that are “not American” to protect their interests and to fight solar power and wind energy initiatives.
Charles Koch responded Wednesday, saying he was “flabbergasted and dumbfounded” by the president’s comments.
Asked about Mr. Koch’s reaction, Mr. Earnest replied, “I’m not sure whether to describe those comments as ’remarkably rich’ or ’utterly predictable.’ ’’
He said Mr. Obama’s energy agenda is threatening the status quo in Washington for the oil and gas industry.
“It’s not surprising that … the special interests, including the millionaires and billionaires who have benefited from that paralysis, start to squeal,” Mr. Earnest said of the Kochs.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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