Republican Filibusters Are Expensive

[lame54]

http://onthehillblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/whose-side-are-you-on-gop-filibuster.html



TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010

'Whose Side Are You On?' GOP Filibuster Leaves Taxpayers Footing Oil Spill Costs
Sen. Bob Menendez boils it down to a single question, "Whose side are you on?"

By blocking Democrats’ attempt to pass the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act –- which would ensure BP pays the full cost of the cleanup of the monstrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico -- Republicans are leaving American taxpayers on the hook for bailing out BP, say the New Jersey Democrat and other senators who want to pass legislation that would raise the liability cap applied to oil companies from $75 million to $10 billion.

At issue is paying the costs of cleaning up the disaster unfolding daily off the coast of Louisiana, as up to 100,000 barrels of crude leak into the Gulf each day. The disaster was caused by an explosion last month on an offshore drilling platform leased by energy giant BP.

“After all, BP's profits amounted to $5.6 billion for the first three months of this year. Profits, not proceeds. Profits. That breaks down to $94 million in profits each and every day,” says Menendez. “That means their current damages liability under the law of $75 million is less than one day's profits. Less than one day's profits… But they want taxpayers to bail them out when they spill. It's fundamentally wrong. Our bill is as simple as it gets. It says no bailout for BP. It says BP pays for its own mess, not the nation's taxpayers. It says you either want to fully protect the small businesses and communities devastated by the spill or you want to protect multibillion dollar oil companies from being held fully accountable.”

But for a second time, a Republican went to the Senate floor Tuesday to object to a vote on the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act. On Tuesday, it was Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma. Inhofe says he objects to the legislation because it mean other, independent petroleum firms also would be liable for big bills if they, too, were to cause a major spill.

Last week, it was...

[ejpoeta]

1. that's funny. i could swear the republicans have been all over talkinga bout

the deficit and taxes and how government spends too much money and how we shouldn't be sticking our noses in business's business. but now... NOW the taxpayers should foot the bill for this??!! are you friggin kidding me!!

[lame54]

2. So much for personal responsibility

[global1]

3. Yes - Mr. Inhofe - Even Independent Petroleum Firms Should Be Liable For Big Bills If.......

they, too, were to cause a major spill. And if it bankrupts them and puts them out of business - so be it. Maybe if that threat exists for all businesses they would pay more attention to safety and regulations then trying to find ways to cut corners and increase profits.