"So we can't leave our fate in the hands of big oil. And that is why I am going to continue to insist that we place a permanent ban on offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast."
"To get this right you have to have an accurate assessment going in."
"Are you concerned by the reports that BP is hiring a significant amount of academic talent under nondisclosure agreements?"
"I would ask that this Committee be kept informed as those decisions are being made."
"I think you have a particularly important role in the view of protecting the public interest."
"It is important that you have your own independent funding sources in order to be able to do an accurate assessment."
"Do we have adequate resources to do this assessment?"
"As trustees I believe you really have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure that you are satisfied for the purposes of the people of this Nation..."
"Senator Menendez's bill, S. 3305, that this Committee adopted, will make sure that BP is legally bound to honor its pledge to pay 'all legitimate claims' including those for natural resource damages."
"The current $75 million limit on oil spill liability damages represents but a small fraction of the actual economic and environmental costs."
"On behalf of this Committee, do we have your assurance that if the independence and objectivity is not at the standard you think is right to protect the public, that this Committee will be notified so..."