Is it common or uncommon for a minority partner, in this case a 25-percent partner, not to have someone on the rig?

You have heard your colleagues at this panel give their testimony.

Americans are fed up with hollow words and false assurances and broken promises.

BP is paying the Federal Government, has stated that they want to continue to do that.

We appreciate very much your appearance before our Subcommittee today.

In adversity lies opportunity.

Honestly, we are focused on making sure that the costs associated with this clean-up and spill in the Gulf of Mexico are paid.

We are going to change that law, and we are going to start working on it very seriously probably on the Senate floor next week.

The important thing to note is that the taxpayers are being paid.

I think proper procedures and practices need to be followed, and our view is that this accident was preventable, this tragic accident.

I believe no claims have been denied to date, which really I find hard to believe.

We need to seize the day.

If for some reason the costs just get to be a point where they cannot or will not, I think the trust fund is threatened.

That is commendable.

Because I think it is pretty clear we are going to change it.

I think a number of us have learned lessons in that regard.

I would say the $20 billion that the President got in an agreement with BP last night is--I would say it is a very good assurance to the American people that BP intends to stay in this for the duration.

the taxpayer is being kept whole, which is the important thing.

One, trying to be responsive; second, trying not to be foolish.

Well, good. There is a tension----

I am not quick enough on my feet to be able to figure out what percent of $20 billion $27 million would be, but it has got to be a small percentage.

I strongly believe that the taxpayers of America should not be stuck with the bill for the tragedy in the Gulf.

I think it is appropriate for the well owner who derives benefit from the production to also bear the risk if those hydrocarbons are released into the environment inadvertently.

What instructions has the White House given you about how this newly created independent trust fund might interact with your office and with the current claims process being led by BP?

Is that gross revenue?