Oil Spill

Dems Object To Latest GOP Plan To Increase Oil Spill Liability

Brian Beutler | June 29, 2010, 1:25PM

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK)

Democrats are preparing to oppose the latest GOP plan to hold oil companies accountable for spill damages in the future.

A new plan, authored by Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), and passed my way by a source, would give the President the authority to set liability caps, based on congressionally approved guidelines, on a spill-by-spill basis. The idea is that this legislation would replace the Democrats' bid to simply lift the liability cap, exposing companies to the full cost of their spills. An Inhofe spokesman says they want to work with Democrats on the GOP proposal and use it as a substitute when the Environment and Public Works committee meets to consider the Democratic plan tomorrow.

Democrats who support lifting the cap altogether say no way. They're preparing a list of objections to Inhofe's plan, highlighting the fact that it leaves the President -- and future, more oil-friendly Presidents -- tremendous discretion to set low liability caps, and that spill damages can not be predicted ahead of time.

We'll see how this pans out tomorrow when EPW meets to mark up the Democrats' bill. Dems seem to be trying to get out in front of this one, worried perhaps that some of their members might get thrown for a loop by the Inhofe plan.

Joe Barton

DCCC Puts GOP On Spot For Not Ousting Barton

Brian Beutler | June 23, 2010, 2:33PM

Rep. Joe L. Barton (R-TX)

Now that House Republicans have concluded that Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) can keep his post as top GOPer on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Democrats are associating that decision with Republican members in contested districts, highlighting their complicity with party leadership and Barton himself.

"House Republicans like Representative Dave Reichert are keeping British Petroleum apologist Joe Barton as their top Republican on energy policy and continue to back his unbelievable obstruction to holding British Petroleum accountable for this disaster," reads a statement from DCCC spokesman Ryan Rudominer. "This is another outrageous example of Representative Reichert putting Big Oil, like British Petroleum, before American taxpayers. Voters will not tolerate Republicans like Reichert who want a British Petroleum apologist to lead their party's energy policy and their continuing efforts to block holding British Petroleum fully accountable."

If you're keeping track, Barton first apologized to BP CEO Tony Hayward over the government response to the oil spill, then apologized for his apology, then basically took back his apology, until his spokesman took responsibility for taking back the apology.

This push will be made in Reichert's Washington state district as well as the districts of the members below the fold, including GOP leadership.

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Rush Limbaugh

Limbaugh Is Now Too Oily For Republicans To Touch

Brian Beutler | June 23, 2010, 10:37AM

Rush Limbaugh

If more politicians were as forthright as Rep. Steven King (R-IA), Rush Limbaugh might have more friends in Congress these days. In fact, Republicans are so on-message with the idea that Joe Barton was wrong, and speaking for himself, when he apologized to BP CEO Tony Hayward that they're even willing to throw the conservative talk show host and noted GOP opinion-mover under the bus.

King says that's mostly for show. Republicans, he suspects, are publicly distancing themselves from Tony Haward apologist Joe Barton while privately acknowledging that he was right to accuse the White House of shaking down BP.

"I think there will be a few that, like me, will agree with JB's words, and his description, and there will be a lot of others that privately agree with what he said," King told TPMDC yesterday.

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Joe Barton

Top Republican: Barton's Seat On Energy Committee Is Safe

Brian Beutler | June 23, 2010, 9:00AM

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX)

NRCC chairman Pete Sessions, whose job it is to increase GOP ranks in the House, says Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) will likely retain his post as the top Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Asked last night after a House vote if Barton may face further repercussions for apologizing to BP CEO Tony Hayward, Sessions told reporters that Barton's already paid his penance.

"I don't think that's the direction we're headed in," Sessions said. "...I believe that Joe has adequately addressed the issue."

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Charlie Melancon

Melancon: Obama Gets A 'C' On Oil Spill Response

Brian Beutler | June 21, 2010, 2:01PM

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA)

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), who hopes to unseat Republican David Vitter in the Senate this fall, publicly parted ways with President Obama over the government's response to the oil spill in the Gulf. In an interview this afternoon, Melancon gave Obama's response a middling grade.

"Probably a 'C'," Melancon told TPMDC. "Even though his secretaries engaged, he himself didn't really get engaged immediately. I see him making up for that or trying to make up for that, but it's hard to play catchup when you start off slow."

Melancon isn't just upset about Obama's public response, but about the administration's decision to place a moratorium on deep water drilling.

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Oil Spill

Foot, Meet Mouth: Our Top Six GOP Oil Spill Gaffes

Brian Beutler | June 18, 2010, 6:00PM

(Clockwise from top left) MS Gov. Haley Barbour, Rep. Michelle Bachmann, Former AK Gov. Sarah Palin, Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), KY Sen. candidate Rand Paul (R-KY)

BP isn't standing alone with one foot on the ground and the other in its mouth. Since the spill began in April, Republicans have demonstrated an exceptional tendency to blurt out their inconvenient beliefs about the disaster and the federal response. And we're not talking about backbenchers here -- the dirty talk has come from their most powerful and visible members. From Capitol Hill to the Gulf Coast, we bring you, in chronological order, the top six GOP oil spill slip-ups.

1. Rand Paul
He's since gone into hiding, likely on NRSC orders, but back when the Kentucky Senate hopeful was still flapping his gums (to hilarious effect) on national television, he let slip that he wanted the Obama administration to leave BP aloooooone!

"This sort of, you know 'I'll put my boot heel on the throat of BP,' I think that sounds really un-American in his criticism of business," Paul said on Good Morning America last month.

Watch:

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2010 elections

DNC Ad: If The GOP Wins Congress, Joe Barton Would Oversee BP (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 18, 2010, 5:51PM

New ad from the Democratic National Committee

The Democratic National Committee has a new national TV ad, aiming to nail the whole Republican Party to Rep. Joe Barton's (R-TX) public apology to BP for the $20 billion escrow account that the Obama administration worked out with them, to pay for damages from the big oil spill.

The ad makes hay of Barton's status as the ranking Republican on the House committee that oversees the oil industry. The announcer says: "Now, at President Obama's direction, BP's set aside 20 billion for recovery on the Gulf coast. But if Republicans were in charge, this is the guy who'd be overseeing BP."

The GOP clearly knew how politically damaging this would be, as they ordered Barton to retract his apology immediately. But that's not stopping the Dems from putting out a message that Barton said what his party was really thinking about making BP pay for the damages.

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MN-06

Bachmann Opponent's New Ad Blasts Her For 'Standing Up For BP' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 18, 2010, 2:07PM

Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) and MN-06 House candidate Tarryl Clark (D)

Minnesota state Sen. Tarryl Clark, the Democratic candidate to go up against Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, is looking to get an ad on the air going after Bachmann for having bashed the the BP escrow fund as "extortion" by the Obama administration.

The ad is not yet up on TV, but the Clark campaign is conducting a fundraising drive among supporters to get it on the air.

"It's BP's fault. And they should pay. But Michelle Bachmann calls making BP pay for the clean up 'extortion,'" the announcer says. "And said 'If I was the head of BP, I would let the signal get out there - 'We're not going to be chumps.'"

"If Bachmann lets BP off the hook, guess who's paying? Us," the announcer says. "Michele Bachmann: standing up for BP. Not us."

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Oil Spill

Hannity And Gingrich Agree With Barton On BP 'Shakedown' -- Even After Barton Took It Back (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 18, 2010, 11:27AM

Gingrich on Hannity

On last night's episode of Sean Hannity's TV show, Hannity and former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) went ahead and agreed with Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) that the BP escrow account is a "shakedown." And amusingly, they failed to even mention that Barton was subjected to widespread media ridicule and then ordered by the GOP leadership to retract his comments just hours after he dramatically apologized to BP.

"We had this show on Capitol Hill today. And Joe Barton, congressman, said you know what, this is a shakedown," said Hannity. "We have a lot of other Congressmen, you know, debating whether or not the White House is exceeding their constitutional authority by demanding that BP put all this money in escrow, when in fact we have a law in place."

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Gulf Coast Oil Spill

GOP Rep. Barton: 'I Apologize' To BP For 'Tragedy' Of Obama Admin's '$20 Billion Shakedown' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 17, 2010, 10:47AM

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX)

In the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing today on the BP oil spill, Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) said something very remarkable: Amidst a committee slamming BP all around, he apologized to the company for the $20 billion escrow account that the Obama administration asked them to create for paying out damages in the case.

"I think 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 shakedown," Barton said.

I'm speaking now totally for myself, I'm not speaking for the Republican Party, I'm not speaking for anybody in the House of Representatives, but myself. But I'm ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday.

I think 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 shakedown, with the Attorney General of the United States, who is legitimately conducting a criminal investigation and has every right to do so to protect the interests of the American people, participating in what amounts to a $20 billion slush fund that's unprecedented in our nation's history, that's got not legal standing, and which sets I think a terrible precedent for the future.

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Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Say What? GOPers Slam White House Over BP Gulf Spill Fund

Eric Kleefeld | June 17, 2010, 10:18AM

(clockwise from top left) Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN), Rush Limbaugh, Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS) and Rep. Tom Price (R-GA)

BP is ponying up $20 billion for Gulf Spill oil damages. And quite a few Republicans don't like it one bit.

The Obama administration and BP seem to have come to a solution on paying for damages from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, with the $20 billion escrow account to pay out damages to claimants. And since everything that a president does will get attacked by opponents, some Republicans have come out strongly against it -- with the sum total of charges being that it will turn into a political slush fund procured through dirty Chicago thug tactics that will be paid out to ACORN.

• Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) vigorously attacked the idea: "The president just called for creating a fund that would be administered by outsiders, which would be more of a redistribution-of-wealth fund," Bachmann said on Tuesday, also adding that BP should say, "We're not going to be chumps, and we're not going to be fleeced." Bachmann later backtracked on Wednesday, saying that BP should pay for all of the damages involved, but that the fund should not be "an unending pot of money."

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Michele Bachmann

Bachmann Blasts 'Redistribution Of Wealth' Escrow Fund, Says BP Shouldn't Be 'Chumps'

Eric Kleefeld | June 16, 2010, 10:07AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is emerging as a fierce critic of the Obama administration's proposed escrow fund to handle damage claims against BP.

The Minnesota Independent reports that Bachmann spoke Tuesday to the Heritage Foundation, and badmouthed the idea. "The president just called for creating a fund that would be administered by outsiders, which would be more of a redistribution-of-wealth fund," said Bachmann. "And now it appears like we'll be looking at one more gateway for more government control, more money to government."

Also, David Weigel reports that Bachmann also said: "They have to lift the liability cap. But if I was the head of BP, I would let the signal get out there -- 'We're not going to be chumps, and we're not going to be fleeced.' And they shouldn't be. They shouldn't have to be fleeced and make chumps to have to pay for perpetual unemployment and all the rest -- they've got to be legitimate claims."

Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Poll: Louisiana Loves Bobby Jindal -- And Offshore Drilling

Eric Kleefeld | June 15, 2010, 3:09PM

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal

The new survey of Louisiana by Public Policy Polling (D) finds that despite the disaster created by the BP oil spill, the state's voters still overwhelmingly support offshore drilling.

The poll asked: "Do you support or oppose drilling for oil off the shore of Louisiana?" The answer was support 77%, oppose 12%. In addition, only 31% said that the spill made them less supportive of drilling, to 28% who said it made them more supportive, and 42% for whom it made no difference.

"People are always concerned with their economic livelihood," writes PPP president Dean Debnam. "In Louisiana the economy and jobs are clearly tied to the oil and gas industry. Louisianans seem more concerned about the closure of oil rigs than of beaches."

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BP

Would The GOP Plan To Hold BP Accountable Actually Work?

Brian Beutler | June 14, 2010, 11:12AM

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)

The Republican plan to stick BP with the full cost of the Gulf oil spill lacks the teeth to actually make BP pay for the damages caused by the worst spill in U.S. history, according to Democrats and experts on offshore drilling law who spoke with TPM.

Until House Minority Leader John Boehner went on the record this weekend in support of lifting the $75 million cap on BP's liability for damages caused by the catastrophe, he and his party for weeks had opposed Democratic efforts to retroactively and permanently lift that cap so that BP ponies up for this spill and so that damages from future spills are the full responsibility of the oil companies that cause them.

Last week, as controversy over the GOP's position on BP raged, Boehner's office suggested to me that a better way to hold the oil giant accountable for the current spill would be to pass legislation sponsored by Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) who proposes lifting the cap on BP, but leaving the $75 million cap in place -- punting for now on the question of what to do about future spills.

The big problem: Democrats and experts say it won't work.

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | June 11, 2010, 4:24PM

White House senior advisor David Axelrod

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (R-MD), House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL), Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS), Gov. Bob Riley (R-AL).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Gov. Bob Riley (R-AL).

• Fox News Sunday: Senate nominee Carly Fiorina (R-CA), Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice; and Barbara Bush, daughter of former President George W. Bush.

• NBC, Meet The Press: White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod.

Chamber of Commerce

Chamber: No Taxpayer Money For Oil Spill Recovery (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | June 11, 2010, 2:42PM

U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue

Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue has issued a statement clarifying his position on who should pay for damages resulting from the Gulf oil spill. Congress, he seems to say, shouldn't legally require BP to cover all costs, but BP will ultimately have to pay for everything.

The spill, Donohue says, "will require significant long-term attention from BP, the federal government, state and local authorities, volunteers, and the entire business community. While the depth and breadth of the consequences are unknown, clearly BP will have to assume its responsibilities over the long-term."

"Let me be clear: the recovery costs should not be on the backs of American taxpayers or the businesses that have been adversely affected by this tragedy," Donohue adds.

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BP

Pelosi Whacks Boehner Over Oil Spill Damages Controversy

Brian Beutler | June 11, 2010, 11:51AM

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

Democrats are continuing to hammer House Minority Leader John Boehner for suggesting that the government should bear some of the financial burdens of the Gulf oil spill, despite the fact that his office now insists BP should cover every last cent.

At her weekly press event this morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reaffirmed her commitment to holding BP fully accountable for the spill, and backed a legislative initiative to lift a $75 million liability cap on oil companies...but she also snuck in a pot shot.

Asked by a reporter to respond to Boehner's contention that any changes to the liability law should be kicked down the road, Pelosi couldn't resist.

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John Boehner

Boehner Says BP On Hook For All Oil Spill Costs

Brian Beutler | June 10, 2010, 6:50PM

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) And House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH)

House Minority Leader John Boehner fully broke ranks with the Chamber of Commerce today by accepting that under no circumstances should taxpayers be on the hook for any clean up costs or damages resulting from the Gulf oil spill.

"No taxpayer money for cleanup or damages -- period. BP pays," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel tells the Washington Post.

It's an uncomfortable departure for Boehner who got hammered all day, after he appeared to agree with Chamber President Tom Donohue that the government should pitch in to pay those costs. But it remains unclear how or when Boehner proposes to force BP to cover damages.

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BP

Holt: Boehner And Chamber Are Wrong On Oil Spill Costs

Brian Beutler | June 10, 2010, 3:02PM

Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)

Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), lead sponsor of the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act, says Minority Leader John Boehner and the Chamber of Commerce are wrong, wrong, wrong if they believe the government should pitch in to help BP cover the costs of the spill.

"The Minority Leader and the Chamber are wrong," Holt says. "BP is responsible for this disaster and BP - not the American taxpayer - should be responsible for every last cent of the cleanup costs and economic damages caused by the spill. My sympathies aren't with BP and Big Oil - my sympathies are with the small business owner, the restaurateur, the vacation home renter, the fishermen, and  the American taxpayer."

Holt's bill would raise the liability cap on oil companies and apply it retroactively to BP, whose exposure is limited to $75 million under current law.

BP

Boehner Spox Walks Back BP Spill Comments

Brian Beutler | June 10, 2010, 2:17PM

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), and Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)

John Boehner spokesman Michael Steel emails to say Boehner does not believe that the government should be on the hook for the cost of the oil spill.

"Boehner made a general statement about who is responsible for the spill, and the federal government oversight was clearly lacking, but he has said repeatedly that BP is responsible for the cost of the cleanup," Steel writes, pointing me to a Boehner statement from May 3, several days after the spill began.

"The White House must ensure that BP bears the entire financial burden to clean up this disaster. Not a dime of taxpayer money should be used to clean up their mess."

But there's "clean up" and then there's clean up.

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John Boehner

Boehner: Government--i.e. Taxpayers--Should Help Pay For Oil Spill

Brian Beutler | June 10, 2010, 11:19AM

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH)

Congressional Democrats and the White House are toying with different ways to force BP to cover the costs of damages from the Gulf oil spill. But they face stiff opposition from industry...and it seems leading Republicans. In response to a question from TPMDC, House Minority Leader John Boehner said he believes taxpayers should help pick up the tab for the clean up.

"I think the people responsible in the oil spill--BP and the federal government--should take full responsibility for what's happening there," Boehner said at his weekly press conference this morning.

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Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Poll: Public Blames Both Federal Government And BP For Oil Spill

Eric Kleefeld | June 9, 2010, 2:59PM

An explosion at the Deepwater Horizon oil rig

The new ABC/Washington Post poll digs in to who the public blames for the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, and it turns out they blame everyone -- the federal government and federal regulators, the company, you name it.

The poll finds President Obama's approval rating on his handling of the situation at 44%, with 49% disapproval, compared to a more general approval rating of 52%-45%. The positive rating for the federal government's handling of it is at only 28%, with a 69% negative rating, while BP's number is even worse at 16%-81%.

On the specific question of how much blame different players deserve, 55% say that weak federal regulations deserve a "great deal" or "good amount" of blame, 63% also blame inadequate enforcement of existing regulations, and 73% also assign blame to unnecessary risks taken by BP and its drilling partners. In addition, 64% say the federal government should pursue criminal charges against BP and other companies involved in the spill.

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Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Making The Case: Hoyer Hits BP For Negligence, Cutting Corners

Brian Beutler | June 9, 2010, 12:59PM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

As the White House flirts with the idea of lifting the liability cap on oil companies engaged in offshore drilling, congressional leaders are upping their anti-BP rhetoric, suggesting in no uncertain terms that the oil giant responsible for the Gulf spill has been both negligent and dishonest.

"There is reason to believe there was a lot of negligence present here, and that corners were cut that should not have been cut and that representations made by BP in particular, and/or Transocean...as to how much oil could be handled were inaccurate," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer at his weekly press availability this morning.

Congress and the White House are toying with different ways to hold oil companies accountable for future spills, including by putting them on the hook for the entire cost of clean up and damages. But requiring BP to cover the costs of this spill could be trickier...unless, as Hoyer suggests, they're found to have violated safety regulations.

Relatedly, the House Energy and Commerce Committee claims to have uncovered safety violations that led to the explosion and the leak.

Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | June 4, 2010, 4:50PM

U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, National Incident Commander

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Adm. Thad Allen, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Adm. Thad Allen, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA).

• Fox News Sunday: Adm. Thad Allen, Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS), Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Will not air, due to coverage of the French Open.

Oil Spill

What Could Make The Gulf Oil Spill Worse? How About a Hurricane.

Brian Beutler | June 4, 2010, 8:36AM

Hurricane Katrina over the Gulf of Mexico

As if the situation in the Gulf wasn't bad enough already, we are now in hurricane season, and that means there's a decent chance that a tropical cyclone may complicate the cleanup efforts along the southern U.S. coast and disrupt effort to bring the blowout at the site of the sunken Deepwater Horizon under control.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there are an average of 2.9 named storms and 1.4 hurricanes in the gulf each hurricane season; and 1.4 named storms and 0.5 hurricanes by the end of August. During a heavy season, as 2010 is expected to be, there can be many, many more. And historically, the site of the Deepwater Horizon well has been right in the heart of a hurricane corridor.

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Sarah Palin

Palin: Oil Spill Proves We Were Right About 'Drill, Baby, Drill'

Brian Beutler | June 2, 2010, 10:28AM

Former GOP Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin

The very politician who inspired country songs about drilling for oil is now boasting that her "drill here, drill now" plan for U.S. energy policy would have mitigated or forestalled the oil disaster in the Gulf...if only you redefine what she meant when she said that.

Last night, former half-term Alaska governor Sarah Palin believed she'd found a way to both absolve her oil-happy politics and blame environmentalists for the spill at the same time, and took to Twitter to rub it in.

"Extreme Greenies:see now why we push"drill,baby,drill"of known reserves&promising finds in safe onshore places like ANWR? Now do you get it?"

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Oil Spill

Public Still Split On Obama's Handling Of BP Spill

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 1, 2010, 11:57AM

President Barack Obama

Americans don't know what to think about the way President Obama is handling the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico according to a new national poll released by Quinnipiac University today. The poll, conducted last week, confirms a trend that shows the public is increasingly wary of the White House's response to the still-spewing deep water oil spill.

The new Q poll shows 39% of Americans approve of the way Obama is handling the Gulf crisis, while 42% disapprove. The poll was conducted May 19-24 and has a margin of error of 2.2%

The TPM Poll Average of Obama's handling of the spill shows 39.2% approve while 55.2% disapprove. The trend line shows that as the spill has continued, public support for Obama's handling of it has dipped.

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