Washington (CNN) - Republican Rep. Joe Barton had some harsh words for the White House at a key hearing Thursday on the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster: "I am ashamed of what happened at the White House yesterday. I think it is a tragedy of the first proportion that a private corporation would be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown - in this case a $20 billion dollar shakedown." Barton was referring to BP's establishment - at the behest of the administration - of an escrow account to pay for claims.
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I can't believe the first Republican to speak during the hearing would make such a wreckless statement...especially being from a state directly affected by the spill. We already have a hard enough time with people thinking our party in in the pocket of big oil. Americans are hurting and you're worried about BP. Top noch a-hole Joe Barton.
How much oil stock do you own Joe????
This was not a shakedown.
It is called "holding a corporation accountable" for its negligence.
(why I am not surprised you are a Republican?)
Barton is the second biggest scumbag in Texas,just after Governor Goodhair.
You said-'I do not want to live in a country, where anytime a citizen or a corporation does something that is legitimately wrong, is subject to some sort of political pressure, that is again in my words, amounts to a shakedown. So I apoligize. If you believe your words and expect us to believe what you said-then you must be making arrangements with passport in hand and bags packed.
He is worried BP might not give him their usual "campaign contribution" if he does not protect their interest.
After all he does not represent "the little people" that elect him. only those who fund him.
Watched Bartons statement and I am not only ashamed of him but that he is now a Benedict Arnold traitor to the people of the United States! More appalling are those in the GOP who immediately backed Barton! Really? They are for not grilling BP and killing American people, economic region, and our waters? Watch the vote in November for anyone already caught on tape supporting Barton as a traitor to the people of the United States.
Another congressman in bed with the oil companies!
I am ashamed I ever was a Republican.
What else can we expect from the Chicago thugs occupying the White House. Election shake down of oil companies apparently was not enough. Yea, looking out for the "folks" allright!
OMG – You have got to be kidding me! Obviously this good ol boy is not from one of the states either impacted or potentially impacted by this catastrophe. Drill Baby Drill!
IT is now showing the true color of Oil "green" they now have to earn their money what a nerve
GOP's true color is actually showing right now!!! This is a true testament that they are actually for big oil instead of the victims. I don't want to live in a country where members of a political parties apologizes to big oil for being forced to do it's supposed to do. There is no way in hell the GOP can push back on this. Thank God that we have known who is truly on the side of americans. And come november, we will make it show!!
And this is why there are such low approval ratings for Congress. Why hold anyone accountable, right?
Coming from a TX Repub, that figures. Further confirms that Repubs are owned by big oil. Wonder what he would say if oil shows up in Houston.
Are you kidding me, congressman? Nice to know you put big business before us "little people".
Disgraceful!
The GOP are a joke. What is a matter Barton, you prefer the shakedown you give them for your reaelection campaign and are afraid they wont have enough to pay you.
Just another spectacular example of just what a collection of heartless bastards the Republican Party has become. It's comments like this that clearly establish, once and for all, that the Republican Party does not give a rodent's buttocks for Main Street Americans who lost their jobs, homes, health insurance, life savings to the totally reckless behavior of corporations, whether that's Big Oil, Wall Street, or the Health Insurance Industry.
Why do Republicans hate America?
And while Americans disapprove of Obama for not stopping BP, they support this flat Earth Tea Party goofball Barton, who supports unlimited oil company profits and a complete lack of oversight over oil companies?
What the who, this guy would be the chairman if his party wins power back in November. American people please wake up Now!! The people down here is suffering and he is apologizing to BP.
How much BP stock does he own?
tell me for the love of god, is this man in his sense? i do hope the people of his states and others states are watching these hypocrites on the right defends B.P. imagine americans are suffering from this horrible incedent and these righties are defending B.P. wake up america and watch these right wingers at there best.
I'm shocked by this comment. I mean to think that companies should be held accountable for thier mistakes. What has this country become when a company cannot trash an entire body of water and get aways scott free?
What the liberal dunces do not understand is for 18 months now, Obama has treated all, all free enterprise companies as his personal pinata. He has no Constitutional right to undermine corporations, small businesses, car companies , banks et al from a legal point of view . He knew that the class, economic, money envy of the Left would not hold him to any legal ideas so he could punish business as he wanted to without their speaking out except to praise their new Messiah. Barton is correct. Not that BP is great, after all, they supported Obama with millions in 2008, but that they cannot legally be taken over or blackmailed by any entity as it was done. And it was not Barton who took foreign monies for election purposes but Obama-Biden. Of course, if they would look that up it would not change their silly opinions since they want revenge not results on the Gulf.
Just about the type of comment that you would expect from a Republican from Texas. Stop being a buffoon for the oil companies Joe, and take out a map of Texas and realize that your state has a lot of shoreline on the Gulf.
What happened to taking responsibility for one's mistakes? Or is that just lip service. If BP is not voluntarily doing this, they set themselves up to be forced to – shame on them.