[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 16, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4511-H4512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          NO MORE FREE RIDES COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER

  (Mr. COURTNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, author Michael Kinsley once observed that 
``a gaffe is when a politician tells the truth.''
  The Republican leader, Mr. Boehner, proved this point the other day 
when he was asked point blank whether he agrees with the Chamber of 
Commerce that the government should pitch in to

[[Page H4512]]

pay for BP's oil spill. He replied, ``I think BP and the Federal 
Government should take full responsibility for what's happening here.'' 
His words clearly misstated the law. BP is solely responsible, and his 
staff went into damage control overdrive afterwards to clean up his 
mess.
  But this gaffe really confirms what every American knows in their 
heart of hearts, that Washington Republicans for the last 40 years have 
been lockstep allies of the oil companies' push to shift the risk of 
oil production onto the taxpayer and keep the benefit to themselves. 
Americans listening today should know that no matter what the 
Republican leader says, the Democratic majority understands that BP is 
solely responsible for the cleanup; that the taxpayer will be repaid 
for its costs; and that BP will compensate small businesses and working 
families for the damage done to their lives.
  No more free rides courtesy of the American taxpayer.

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