This story is part of an ongoing special series produced by USC Annenberg News21 in partnership with KCET's SoCal Connected. Ten new media reporters explore the intersection of Big Money and Poltiics from L.A. City Hall to Sacramento to Washington D.C. -- + --

With the federal government looking for places to cut spending, Republicans in Congress seem increasingly intent on targeting climate legislation. The GOP-controlled House just last week passed a budget that would, among other things, greatly limit the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to regulate greenhouse gases.

And recently, Sens. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) each introduced legislation that would tie the federal government's hands when it comes to carbon pollution, while Fred Upton (R-Mich.), the Republican chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced a companion bill shortly thereafter. Perhaps it should be no surprise then that all three — Inhofe, Barrasso and Upton — received a large chunk of their campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry.

Read more at KCET.org