Senator Ted Kaufman (D-Del.) released the following statement June 15 after President Obama delivered a speech on the Gulf oil spill from the Oval Office:
“Tonight the President outlined decisive action to minimize further damage to the Gulf Coast caused by the ongoing BP oil spill. I strongly support his plan to hold BP accountable for the economic and environmental disaster it has caused in the Gulf – including the establishment of an independently administered, special fund to ensure that Gulf Coast residents whose economic livelihoods have been affected by the spill will be fully compensated. BP will bear the cost of its misconduct, from now until the recovery effort is complete.
“For too long, a deregulatory mindset in this country allowed irresponsible industry players like BP to take ‘shortcuts,’ putting our nation at tremendous risk. The President’s plan to overhaul the responsible regulatory agencies is extremely important, as is updating the regulatory mindset at each of our agencies charged with protecting citizens from unchecked corporate greed and malfeasance.
“The long-term solution, however, lies in the President’s continued focus on developing a clean energy economy for the 21st century. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to heed the President’s call by moving forward on comprehensive legislation that will ultimately reduce our dependence on oil and fossil fuels while enhancing our national security and creating a new generation of clean energy jobs.”
