Schakowsky Statement on BP Oil Spill Commission Report

WASHINGTON, DC (January 12, 2011) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued the following statement in response to the findings of President Obama's National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

"Like most Americans, I was devastated by the loss of human lives and the enormous environmental destruction caused by the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and the resulting spill last April. Today, the President's National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling released its final report urging Congressional action to prevent future catastrophes.

"The report substantiates a call made by me and many of my Democratic colleagues for tighter regulation and oversight of the oil and gas industry and also for increasing their burden of responsibility, which has been sorely lacking.

"I was particularly pleased that the Commission called for raising the liability threshold — which under current law stands at a paltry $75 million — that companies must pay for cleanup. I included that option in my plan for deficit reduction released last year.

"As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has held 10 hearings related to the spill, I have learned that not only did the operators of the Deepwater Horizon rig act with incredible irresponsibly — but that every other large oil and gas company in the United States is similarly unprepared for such an event. The lack of accountability leading up to the tragedy is not an isolated incident; it appears that it was only a matter of time.

"The BP oil spill travesty was totally preventable. I call on the Republican leadership to take the bipartisan Commission's recommendations very seriously and to move swiftly to implement them....