Lamar Smith: “Mr. Speaker, I want to respond to what my chairman said just a minute ago and set the record straight. We did not have a…”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to respond to what my chairman said just a minute ago and set the record straight. We did not have a single legislative hearing on this bill, so we never even went over it one time to fully appreciate the consequences and the unintended consequences of this bill. For example, this bill changes maritime law for everyone, not just those involved in the oil spill. Clearly we should have explored the consequences of that. Beyond that, and I want to emphasize this, this bill, and it is too late to make any changes because no amendments have been made in order, repeals the vessel owner personal liability fund. That alone is enough of a reason to oppose this bill, that it repeals the personal liability fund that vessel owners today have to have.”