Patrick Leahy actually said...

"Prepared Statement of Senator Patrick J. Leahy"

"It must be a priority to mitigate the impacts of the spill on both the delicate and vital gulf ecosystem, and on coastal communities where fisheries and tourism provide jobs for millions of Americans."

"I am encouraged by President Obama's directive to restructure the MMS in order 'to build an organization that acts as the oil industry's watchdog--not its partner.'"

"I am particularly concerned by the close relationships that have developed between powerful oil interests and Government agencies such as the Minerals Management Service (MMS) at the expense of enviro..."