Political Quotes

“I rise to discuss legislation I have offered with some of my colleagues here: The Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act. It is legislation that would make absolutely certain big oil polluters pay for oilspills and the consequences of those spills, and not the American taxpayer, not small business owners, not States or the Federal Government. For some time now we have been told by big oil companies that what is happening in the gulf simply couldn't happen; that it was impossible; that multiple redundant safety systems were in place to prevent it. Well, we have learned there is no such thing as too safe not to spill. Supposedly, the unthinkable has happened, and not only that, but it has happened before. Last year in Australia, the Montara oilspill began on August 21. By some estimates, the spill sent over 80,000 gallons of oil a day into the waters off the coast of Australia. It was months before they could staunch the flow of oil, and it resulted in one of the largest environmental disasters in Australian history. We should have learned from that experience. But, no; we now have the challenge before the Nation today. In comparison, the deepwater well that is leaking in the gulf is sending nearly 210,000 gallons of oil a day into the gulf; over twice the flow from the Australian spill; several million gallons already; and just like the Australian spill, it could take months to drill the relief well.”