Bob Menendez: “first, I am disappointed because I appreciate what the distinguished Senator from Oklahoma said, but the reality is, the…”

“first, I am disappointed because I appreciate what the distinguished Senator from Oklahoma said, but the reality is, the administration has been thoughtful. They have thought about it. Today they announced, as well as was verified by the Assistant Attorney General at a hearing, that it is their view that in fact there should be an unlimited cap. So they have not equivocated about an amount. They have now said it should be an unlimited cap; unlimited, just as BP has suggested that they are going to accept unlimited responsibility for the liability they have created as a result of the spill in the gulf. I have difficulties understanding, when we begin to talk about sizes--that if you are smaller but conduct yourself with the same potential risky consequences that end up polluting the gulf or anyplace else as it is being polluted right now--that simply because you are smaller but you take the same risks that you should have less liability, which means that then all of us as taxpayers--and I know a lot of people here do not want to see the Federal Government more involved. They want to see the Federal Government less involved until they need the Federal Government and then they come clamoring to this Chamber for money. It seems to me if these companies--and the Senator only mentioned the top five, but there are more that have good profits, but certainly the top five.…”