[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S3849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CLEANING UP THE MESS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, the fundamental principle behind Wall Street 
reform that we are going to finish this week is accountability. Those 
who created the mess bear the responsibility for cleaning up the mess. 
One of its most important provisions promises taxpayers they will never 
again be asked to bail out big corporations that acted recklessly and 
put our economy at risk.
  When it comes to the ongoing catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, our 
motivation is exactly the same. It is no different. More than 20 
million gallons of oil have leaked into and across the waters of the 
gulf coast since the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded and sank 
about a month ago. That is double the oil that spewed from the Exxon 
Valdez.
  Eleven crewmen died very quickly, horrific deaths, unnecessary 
deaths. In the weeks since, an enormous tourism industry has been 
slowed and business at countless fisheries has been halted at a time 
when the gulf coast can hardly afford more economic hardship. Our 
environment has been polluted and life has been disrupted for many 
along that coast. With every passing day, those consequences are only 
compounded.
  It is the responsibility of Congress and the administration to 
investigate this disaster and it is the responsibility of BP and anyone 
else found culpable to foot the bill for the damages. They must be held 
accountable.
  Some estimate this disaster will cost more than $14 billion. We have 
to put our foot down and make clear that taxpayers will not pick up 
that tab. I will do everything in my power to make sure the polluters 
pay the price, which they are obligated to do morally and, I believe, 
legally.

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