A hard-hitting television ad charges Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., with blocking climate and renewable energy bills that could cut money flowing to oil-producing nations with close ties to terrorism.

The liberal veterans advocacy group, VoteVets, poured $2 million into a dual national and state-based ad campaign targeting Republicans and Democrats alike.

The local ad, and the only one targeting a Western politician, features Iraq War veteran Benjamin Cossel, of Pine Bluffs, Wyo. Cossel puts it to Barrasso to “decide whose side he’s on” after noting that the Wyoming senator received $50,500 from the oil industry with direct operations in Iran, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Nigeria, and Algeria.

All told the senator has taken $398,700 from the energy and natural resource sector, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

As expected, Barrasso shot back. A spokesperson told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, “The liberal, out-of-state special interest group paying for this ad does not represent Wyoming.”

However, the crux of the problem isn’t political ideology but the complicated connections of climate change, energy extraction and national security. And the money trail behind it that pushes simplistic soundbites, obstructs legislation and stokes public fears about terrorism.

VoteVets said in a statement that “the campaign was launched days after the oil industry revealed that it spent $154 million lobbying Congress in 2009 — much of it in opposition to comprehensive energy legislation.”

Enter Barrasso who has long fought environmental policies to promote carbon reduction and extractive energy regulations from his perch on two key Senate committees: Energy and Natural Resources and Environment and Public Works.

“The fight to get off Middle East oil is a matter of life and death for those of us who serve this country,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org. “Every day Congress delays action is another day they are siding with oil companies and against our veterans,” continued Soltz.

The Barrasso ad will reportedly run 400 times on Casper and Cheyenne television stations. Hang on to your hats.

h/t Grist.org