Posted on 06/17/2010 11:14:06 AM PDT by DukeBillie
A Republican lawmaker from a district affected by the oil spill called on Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) to step down as the ranking member of his committee.
Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), whose Pensacola district is among the most-impacted areas in the Gulf by the oil spill, condemned Barton for apologizing to BP CEO Tony Hayward during a committee meeting on Thursday.
"I condemn Mr. Barton’s statement. Mr. Barton’s remarks are out of touch with this tragedy and I feel his comments call into question his judgment and ability to serve in a leadership on the Energy and Commerce Committee," MIller said in a statement. "He should step down as ranking member of the Committee.”
Barton apologized to Hayward during opening remarks at a hearing this morning, telling Hayward that he was "ashamed" by President Barack Obama's effort to force BP to create a $20 billion fund in escrow to pay out damages to victims of the oil spill.
“It is a tragedy of the first proportion that a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown, in this case a $20 billion dollar shakedown,” Barton said.
Miller took Barton to task.
“I am shocked by Congressman Joe Barton’s reprehensible comments that the government should apologize for the ‘shakedown’ of BP," he said. "BP has caused the greatest ecological and environmental disaster our nation has ever seen. They are the responsible party and they should pay for losses and damages, not the taxpayer. I am optimistic and hopeful that BP acted in good faith by opening the $20 million escrow account, as several of us have requested."
Republicans have already begun to distance themselves from Barton's remarks.
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said he disagreed with Barton during his weekly press conference.
"I have said since the beginning that BP ought to be held responsible for every dime of this tragedy," Boehner said. "And they ought to be held accountable to stop the leak and get it cleaned up as soon as possible.”
Another one of Barton's colleagues, Rep. Michael Burgess (R), who was a top member of the subcommittee hosting Hayward today, also disavowed Barton's remarks.
"He made it quite clear he was speaking only for himself," he said.
Then axs for 20 Billion in the mean time.
Sounds like an old-fashion Chicago/Jesse Jackson Shake-Down!
Burgess is usually a stand-up guy. He’s been warned. Let’s see what he does about it.
Obama has become Jesse Jackson on a global scale.
They may have the money but they can never walk the streets alone,wonder if they think it’s worth it?.
Obama *requested* this escrow accoubt. He didn’t order their accounts seized. BP agreed to this amount.
Good thing, too, because if the American arm of BP declares bankruptcy, there won’t be anything left. How accountable would they be held then?
With the AG of the US standing right behind him. Really voluntary.
Were I running BP I'd file Chapter 11 by close of business tomorrow.
This infuriates me! Why cant people just stand behind what they say and explain why they fill this way. Educate people just damn the GOP. Im done.
I need a number to vent anyone???
Barton Retracts Apology to BP
"I apologize for using the term 'shakedown' with regard to yesterday's actions at the White House in my opening statement this morning, and I retract my apology to BP..."
SNIP
"I regret the impact that my statement this morning implied that BP should not pay for the consequences of their decisions and actions in this incident."
His statement was clear to those that listened. But the propaganda department of the Zero Admin jumped on it.
Frankly I’m tired of Repubs apologizing for telling the truth.
Do the people in the Gulf know where to file claims...NOOOO.
BP will now tell everyone to go to the Feds since they have agreed to a SLUSH fund.
I guess people missed the statement by BP CEO that any claims for medical care are part of the 20 Billion Bribe.(20 billion trust fund) BP just washed its hands of the whole claim process. Saving them millions in processing costs. Risk management solution.
Lawyer windfall.
Thanks for taking the heat off Capt. Kickass, Barton. Scumbag.
This fund is a political fund, controlled by the President...it is a 3rd world move.
The corruption will be massive with this fund, and THEN taxpayers will have to pay for that corruption. The Dems now want payment for healthcare costs from the spill also.
This is for the courts, who are equipped for these kind of decisions.
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