Democrats Slam Boehner, GOP for Position on BP Oil Spill Liability

[TomCADem]

Source: CBS News

House Republican Leader John Boehner came under some scrutiny yesterday over whether he wants BP to pay for all the damage the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is causing. Boehner's office clarified that he does indeed want the oil company to be on the hook for the disaster - as opposed to taxpayers -- but Democrats are holding his feet to the fire on the issue as they move forward with legislation that would force BP to cover costs.

Currently under the law, BP is responsible for all of the clean up costs related to the spill that started when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded on April 20. In addition, the law requires BP to pay for $75 million in other damages -- such as the spill's economic or environmental impacts. Those costs are expected to far exceed that $75 million, however.

Democratic legislators in both the House and the Senate last month introduced legislation to raise the liability cap from $75 million to $10 billion and enact the rules retroactively to compel BP to pay for the damages related to this spill. Now, Democrats are saying they want to go even further and lift the liability cap completely.

"Why should there be a cap?" House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said today, CBS News Capitol Hill Producer Jill Jackson reports. "BP is going to pay the bill. It's going to pay the bill for the cleanup... there will be no taxpayer dollars that will not be repaid by British Petroleum... I'm for no cap."

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20007511-503544.html

[regnaD kciN]

1. Hate to say it...

...but, while they certainly can lift the cap if they want, make it retroactive, and it'll get struck down by the SCOTUS by a 5-4 margin.

[notesdev]

2. Unless the cap itself is challenged

The cap constitutes license for reckless destruction and effectively deprives citizens of their rights to be secure in their property as well as the right to equal treatment under the law.

If the tobacco industry can be made to pay many tens of billions for what people do voluntarily, how is it that the oil industry can get off so easy for damage caused to people who had no say in the matter at all?

[safeinOhio]

5. I would think

caps are a violation of the Seventh Amendment. But no cares because it's not about guns.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. SC is further right...

than they were when the tobacco ruling took place.

[pansypoo53219]

3. boner gave aorporatists

the spidey signal that he'll be on their side. wink wink nudge nudge.

[Hubert Flottz]

4. Throw the Boner down the well.

Boner needs a blow out preventer on his orange ass.

[E_Olenska]

6. BP

made the mess.....they should be made to clean it up.....NO MATTER WHAT IT COSTS.

[crim son]

7. I really don't understand the rethuglican logic in this instance

but WTF's new?

[TheEuclideanOne]

11. Exactly, business as usual

Stop anything that the Dems try to accomplish. Regardless of anything!!!!

[rasputin1952]

8. This cretin squealed about "government help" for the Gulf disaster...

after spending years decrying "Big Government"...if said "help" is for a corporation, in "Boehnerland" it's fine to use the Treasury...but God forbid any funds go to citizens to to get through a crisis. War, in "Boehnerland", spend trillions, but if you're poor...just die and decrease the surplus population.

How this ignorant, selfish hypocrite can stand to look in a mirror is beyond the comprehension of sane men and women...cry on Boehner...we're enjoying watching you rust you miserable piece of crap.

[ChiTownChavista]

12. BS!

I can't believe that all the BS that Bush left us with is now used against us.

This happened because of Bush/Cheney/Haliburton exploitation.


Solar NOW!!!

[wordpix]

9. "Why should there be a cap?"---Go, Nancy! Don't let Bonehead & BigOil get their way

[TheEuclideanOne]

10. Democrats should embrace it.... nationally.....and on TV!

Create a commercial helping the Republicans push this forward. Promote the heck out of it and make people aware that they can join in with the Republicans and making sure that the cap remains in place. They can create another commercial promoting how we should all pay for BP's mess instead of BP itself. Unfortunately not enough people are aware of the crap that the Rethugs are doing. Do it while it is fresh in everybody's mind!

[Infinite Hope]

13. I hope they muscle this through and show some backbone.

It will help rally the demoralized base somewhat.

[defendandprotect]

14. Democrats have to get LOUDER on this one . . . Nation isn't hearing enough . .. !!

[Titanium-Salute]

16. I've been simply telling the assholes on the right

when they say "obama hasn't responded quickly enough to the oil spill" that why would they want socialism? That's big government. The private sector should be cleaning it up. They usually look at you quizzically and then huff and puff as they storm away. It's a fun game.