Financial disclosure forms filed by members of the U.S. House of Representatives reveal that Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, holds between $1 million and $5 million in Exxon Mobil Corp. stock.

A Carter spokesman said this is no big deal, despite Carter's stand on controversial oil exploration in Alaska, but political watchdog groups and others call it a conflict of interest.

According to the Sunlight Foundation, a non-partisan organization that says its goal is greater political transparency, Carter, 67, holds the second largest amount of oil stock among the 435 House members.

In May 2006, Carter applauded and supported a House resolution that would allow oil and gas exploration in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.