Frank Lautenberg actually said...

"should oil companies play a part in more funding on the research and development of new technologies that get us, to use BP's own expression, 'beyond petroleum'?"

"Well, at some point, one or more, well, all of you will be involved in anything that occurs by way of expense."

"The conclusion that I draw is that nobody assumes the responsibility, whether it is yet or because of the time."

"I then heard, and I do not remember whether it was you, sir, or someone else in the company who said reasonable claims, that is what you are doing."