[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 96 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 GRANTING SUBPOENA POWER TO COMMISSION INVESTIGATING BP DEEPWATER OIL 
                                 SPILL

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                               speech of

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2010

  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I oppose H.R. 5481, which gives subpoena 
power to the National Commission on the British Petroleum Deepwater 
Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. This is an overly broad grant 
of power to a presidential commission. This commission was created by 
Executive Order without any input from Congress and appears designed to 
perform oversight and policy functions that should be performed by 
Congress. Furthermore, this commission may be used to promote the anti-
freedom and economically destructive ``cap-and-trade'' legislation, as 
well as provide justification for the administration's policies of 
restricting offshore drilling.
  Instead of ratifying the Executive Branch's continued use of the 
deepwater disaster as an excuse to usurp more power, Congress should 
ensure that the Executive Branch actions do not allow British Petroleum 
to escape accountability for the damages caused by the spill and that 
any necessary policy changes are made by Congress.

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