On the recordMay 20, 2010
I thank the Senator from Florida. He represents a State that relies on a beautiful coastline, beautiful ocean, the ability for the fishermen to earn their living, the ability of the tourism industry to thrive, the jobs that are related in both of our States. I see Senator Cantwell and Senator Feinstein in the Chamber. The six Senators from the west coast came together in an unusual press conference, an unusual moment to say: We don't want to put our coastlines at risk. We can't afford to do it, let alone our moral responsibility to future generations. What we are seeing here are the limits of the technology. I know the Senator saw the words BP wrote on the permit application when they wanted to move forward with this exploratory well. They said the chances of a spill were remote. But even if there would be a spill, they said the technology was up to the task. After the spill, the first thing they said was: We have never had experience in cleaning up a spill in this deep water. Doesn't this strike my friend as something the Justice Department ought to look at, which several of us on the Environment Committee have asked for? Did they, in fact, tell the truth on their permit application or did they not? I ask my friend to respond to that. One more thing--and I thank the Senator from Florida so much. We are a good, strong team. It is a good east coast-west coast team.
