The $20 billion escrow account from BP will not account for all of the charges accrued by the oil giant associated with the gusher in the Gulf. It’s unclear, in fact, just what damages those escrow funds will include. So the $75 million dollar liability cap for economic damages could still come into play. Democrats believe they can legally pass a retroactive lifting of that damage cap to make BP accountable for all claims. And Republicans have seen that this is a third rail. John Boehner touched it when he seemed to suggest that the government should pay for some of the damages, and over the weekend he completely backtracked on that, even supporting a lifting of the cap.
Now two House Democrats are holding him to that promise. Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Rush Holt (D-NJ) have written a letter to Boehner, asking him to co-sponsor the legislation that would lift the liability cap.
Reps. Jay Inslee (Wash.) and Rush Holt (N.J.) wrote Boehner Wednesday asking for his help in passing legislation to increase to $10 billion the cap on economic damages, needling the top House Republican about whether he thinks the government should be on the hook for any costs related to the spill.
Pointing to statements by Boehner saying he’s not sure if the government isn’t also responsible, Inslee and Boehner said, “This leaves open the possibility that you believe the government, therefore taxpayers, may have to pay for some costs for the removal and damage costs.
“We would like to know whether you will lead your caucus in supporting the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act in its current state … as your leadership would be helpful in moving this legislation,” they said.
It’s good to see Democrats try to back Republicans into a corner, for a change. I wonder what a vote on this would look like on the House floor. Presumably some Republicans would find a reason to oppose. That would be a useful vote for TV ads in the fall.
The entire letter is at the link.
The $20 billion escrow account from BP will not account for all of the charges accrued by the oil giant associated with the gusher in the Gulf. It’s unclear, in fact, just what damages those escrow funds will include. So the $75 million dollar liability cap for economic damages could still come into play. Democrats believe they can legally pass a retroactive lifting of that damage cap to make BP accountable for all claims. And Republicans have seen that this is a third rail. John Boehner touched it when he seemed to suggest that the government should pay for some of the damages, and over the weekend he completely backtracked on that, even supporting a lifting of the cap.
Now two House Democrats are holding him to that promise. Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Rush Holt (D-NJ) have written a letter to Boehner, asking him to co-sponsor the legislation that would lift the liability cap.
Reps. Jay Inslee (Wash.) and Rush Holt (N.J.) wrote Boehner Wednesday asking for his help in passing legislation to increase to $10 billion the cap on economic damages, needling the top House Republican about whether he thinks the government should be on the hook for any costs related to the spill.
Pointing to statements by Boehner saying he’s not sure if the government isn’t also responsible, Inslee and Boehner said, “This leaves open the possibility that you believe the government, therefore taxpayers, may have to pay for some costs for the removal and damage costs.
“We would like to know whether you will lead your caucus in supporting the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act in its current state … as your leadership would be helpful in moving this legislation,” they said.
It’s good to see Democrats try to back Republicans into a corner, for a change. I wonder what a vote on this would look like on the House floor. Presumably some Republicans would find a reason to oppose. That would be a useful vote for TV ads in the fall.
The entire letter is at the link.
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