"there have been attempts in Congress to pass that sort of legislation. Unfortunately, they have been stymied for various reasons."
"It is time to debate the other pieces of a real energy plan that benefit all American consumers and our economy."
"We need a plan to end excessive Wall Street speculation in oil markets."
"The time and resources that the Department of the Interior is allocating to seismic testing could be better used on higher priorities."
"There isn't enough potential in the Atlantic to offset the potential damage to the tourism and economy."
"I really call on the Department to earnestly listen to the concerns and opposition."
"I think it is a big success story for President Obama."
"The Spill Commission recently gave this Congress a grade of D on its legislative response to the worst environmental disaster in American history."
"The United States' economic competitiveness is at risk if we don't act now to expand production of our resources."
"I don't really understand how you can say that... when we do the same thing off the Atlantic Coast and say we shouldn't have drilling."
"you do want to see a legislative increase in the liability cap to ensure that oil companies are held fully responsible for their spills."