Senators Intro Bill to Give Oil Spill Panel Power of Subpoena

[ProSense]

Senators Intro Bill to Give Oil Spill Panel Power of Subpoena

— By Kate Sheppard

A group of 10 Democratic senators introduced legislation on Tuesday that would grant subpoena power to the oil spill commission that President Obama appointed last month. The power of subpoena would allow the panel to force witnesses to testify or produce evidence for the investigation.

"Subpoena power is absolutely necessary to make sure that all responsible parties provide us with the information and evidence we need in order to prevent an economic and environmental disaster of this magnitude from ever happening again," said Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), one of the bill's cosponsors.

John Kerry (D-Mass.), another sponsor of the legislation, said that without subpoena power, "a commission is just window dressing."

Obama announced the formation of the panel on May 22, appointing former Democratic Sen. Bob Graham and former Republican EPA administrator William K. Reilly as the two co-chairs. The panel is charged with investigating what happened to lead up to the explosion and spill from the Deepwater Horizon, and how to move forward with offshore drilling. Additional members will be added to the panel in the coming weeks. The president, however, cannot grant the commission subpoena power, which would allow it to access crucial information -- documents, videos, witnesses and anything else that might be needed for the investigation.

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[Mass]

1. Apparently, some here dont want to hold people accountable, if I believe the unrecommend.

[ProSense]

2. They don't want more people to see the facts or positive news.

All the lies and distortions are rec'd up and the facts, positive actions by Democrats and statements by the President are unrec'd.

[karynnj]

3. At least two people, I recommended it too

[ProSense]

Well, it's a

good thing an unrec doesn't change the fact that Congress is moving ahead with this.

:rofl:

[vaberella]

5. True and I don't give Congress much love because they've failed a great deal.

I'm even surprised they're doing this---but maybe we can push Climate change and other things along.

[vaberella]

4. I see this more and more.

Ugh...three measly posts here. But remember the President is not "leader" enough. The President is pushing Bush ideals. Oh president Obama is sending in the FBI...ignored because President Obama's government should be taking charge and it's not. Blah blah blah.