MAPLight.org uses a database that compares the sources of political financial contributions to the types of bills that politicians introduce, support, or oppose. (Money and Politics = MAP.) Recently, they mapped the BP oil disaster in terms of the bills introduced banning or supported drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, compared to how much money these politicians are getting from the oil industry. The result is an elegant line graph that, unfortunately, will surprise no one.

Currently, twelve bills regarding oil regulation have been introduced: seven calling for a permanent ban; two calling for a temporary ban; and three calling for an end to the ban. (There are also a few more that support drilling but want improved standards.)

At one end of the spectrum is Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), who has received no money from the industry and has introduced a bill (HR 5248) that would permanently prohibit drilling on the entire Outer Continental Shelf. Among those than are calling for the moratorium to be lifted (HR 5525) is Pete Olson (R-Texas), who has received $172,750 in the last two years alone.

See the graph in more detail, with further information, here. MAPLight.org, a nonpartisan nonprofit, uses data from the a variety of sources, including the Federal Election Commission, the Center for Responsive Politics, GovTrack.us, the National Institute on Money in State Politics (NIMSP).