I want to put the oil executives here on notice: We will not accept any answer from you that smacks of something like the check is in the mail.

When you make a mess, you have to pay to clean it up--it's that simple.

Brian Jackson and Elizabeth Erny Foote are outstanding candidates for judgeships in Louisiana's Middle and Western Districts. I was honored to recommend Brian Jackson and Beth Foote to the President last year. These two well-qualified…

This amendment is critical to addressing the abuses of the card companies' fees and rules.

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

As Federal agencies spring to action, I urge them to keep in mind the vulnerability of the Gulf Coast population.

Now is the time to assess the Federal Government's response and make sure we are doing everything we can to protect the health of Gulf Coast residents.

Thank you, Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Enzi, for convening this very important hearing.

The fishermen that BP has hired under your direction to be on vessels of opportunity... want to come home to protect their island where the oil is.

we want to make sure that BP is responsive to the parishes

the only boom that works is the ocean boom. The other boom is not working well.

I think the scope outlined by you and the Ranking Member are right on point about what our Subcommittee should be focused on in this hearing and moving forward.

I have the greatest respect for Admiral Thad Allen, and he is doing a fine job under very difficult circumstances.

I hope today they will be given an opportunity to talk, Senator Lieberman, about the balance necessary between what you said: The need for oil and the jobs that they represent from their parishes, but also the need to have a clean and…

I also want to acknowledge the leadership of Senator Lieberman.

the berms that are in place now are there because basically the President directed that they be built

We will lose more coastline from this disaster in Louisiana than we lost with Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike combined.

That was an absolute insult. Does anybody really believe we are going to wipe every blade of grass to clean it off?

Senator Landrieu can vouch for that. She has always been there for us.

let us not make this in any way political. This is a national disaster.

We are letting the rules, the regulations, the contractors, and BP stand in the way of us saving our coastline.

the Coast Guard is the military, so this is an issue that we have to discuss

The intent of this report was to improve the safety of oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, not shut it down.

I do not believe a 6 month moratorium achieves the results intended.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman for holding this important hearing. I begin each hearing remembering those who lives were lost in this terrible accident.