Mary Landrieu

The American people deserve a Government that will fight for them, regardless of whether a profit is to be made or not.

This is the Government's responsibility to respond to the spill.

It is our responsibility to respond to this challenge.

I think we have got to really reevaluate some of these processes if we are going to try to lead the world in deepwater ocean technology.

It is clear that the Federal Government is failing to deploy and bring to bear the equipment and technology this disaster demands.

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

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.

Polluters--not taxpayers--should pay these government expenses.

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

Big Oil makes so much in profit every month--they can afford to pay for their recklessness.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

I also want to acknowledge the leadership of Senator Lieberman.

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

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.

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

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