May 27th, 2010
05:18 PM ET
13 years ago
Louisiana Dem gets emotional over oil spill's impact
Washington (CNN) - Louisiana Democrat Charlie Melancon lost his composure Thursday during a Capitol Hill hearing about the Gulf oil spill.
"Our culture is threatened. Our coastal economy is threatened. And everything that I know and love is at risk," Melancon, who represents many of the affected Louisiana shoreline areas, told his Capitol Hill colleagues.
Unable to finish reading his prepared statement, Melancon submitted it for the congressional record and then walked out of the hearing room as other lawmakers sought to comfort him.
Related: Obama clamps down on offshore oil drilling
Related: Relatives, rig survivors urge Congress to hold companies accountable
From CNN Politics
- Untitled
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Fact check: Trump repeats false claims during rally in Waco, Texas
- Biden's student loan forgiveness program faces a new threat from Senate Republicans
- Republican lawmaker calls TikTok 'an immediate threat' and calls for app to be banned
- Trump leans into extremism at first 2024 rally as legal woes mount
Melancon, if you can do better than what is being done with this issue–DO IT!
And that is doing what you had 20 Years to do something about this Pandora's Box !!!!
Theres nothing wrong for being emotional about this. I support Rep Melancon – he has every right to feel that wasy. BP has a lot of paying back to do to a LOT of people. Wouldn't be surprised that BP goes bankrupt over it – nor would I have any empathy or symapthy if they do.
Yes, this whole mess is heartwrenching. Hopefully, we get lucky and top kill works. More resources must be brought to bear to prevent more intrusion into wetland areas. This is where the Administration can really make an impact and where they have dropped the ball to some extent thus far.
The worst environmental disaster in American history. Heckuva job, Barry!
"... these are America's wetlands."
I cry, I cry with you, I cry for America, I cry for what will be, I cry for the people, land, and animals whose life and livelihood will never be the same again. At what price is too great a price? Is not the death of humans, animals, and lands enough? It is madness to continue playing with fire after getting burned and yet the oil industry does exactly that to the detriment of all. No more drilling, no more drilling, no more drilling!
I cried watching this...All of us that live and LOve Louisiana are coming to tears.Residents here, we LOVE this Region and it;s centuries old Heritage, this is so hard way harder than Katrina... The Press conference today from President Obama left us Stunned...
The good Congressman should go cry at the White House!!!!!
Why the liberals are to blame for this entire mess. 1. because of the liberals the oil rig had to be placed in much deeper water than needed. Making it near impossible to deal with catastrophe. 2. Spent Too much time pointing fingers at the oil industry when they should have organized teams to deal with the clean up. 3. Should have told the EPA to shut up and get out of the way of the clean up. Absolutely ridiculous that the President allowed the EPA to stop the efforts to; burn off the oil, use dispersing agents on the oil, and to control the oil with artificial sand bars and barriers. What a total joke we have as president.
I'm crying with you....think of the ammount of people/families affected by this, the enviroment (sea, land, animal, even air)...it's a mess. Man just can't get it right.....
I'm praying for a God intervention...are you?
Yeah. Stop crying and start REGULATING!
BP had a massive explosion here in Houston that killed a large number of people here...now this oil spill that caused the death of 11 good men and the potential ruining of a large portion of the Gulf coast. But you have someone like Rand Paul saying Obama is being TOO HARD on them?? And you still have some on the right wanting to "drill baby drill"!! I think if I lived near this area I would be crying too, but I think the blame goes on BP and BP alone. Not too sure what Obama could have done to prevent this but one thing I am sure about is if he had jumped on this sooner, then the cry from the right would have been about more spending when it should be BP cleaning up this mess and not the federal goverment. So as usual with this president it's a no win situation.
I vowed to make an effort not to ever again purchase any EXXON products after the Alaska spill and to this date I have not to my knowledge made any purchases of EXXON products. Today I have added BP Oil to that list. I know we will always have some need for oil and it's by products but EXXON and BP Oil are making it a lot easier not to buy their products.
I know we need to dril for oil but it must be done in a safe manner. The loss of the 11 on the rig and the 15 in Texas are not acceptable losses.
This was an accident people not unless you have proof of some kind of conspiracy. It was an accident that resulted in 11 people losing their lives, the oil can be cleaned up but 11 families have lost their loved ones.
If only Reagan could witness the BP spill & see the GOP demand that Obama say 'I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.
Yeah don't cry me a river. Everyone knew the risks but it was all about making $$$. Gee we only had 2 oil biz CEO's as the President and VP, not to mention Rice on the board of Chevron.
BP will have to give out bigger bonuses than usual to elected reps this year to calm them some.
..."detriment of us all", Agnes? Really?
Have you given up driving, and other petroleum consuming activities? I'll bet that there are plenty of people who depend on their cars to get them to work, or on oil to heat their homes in the winter...Maybe you're one of them?
Do you really think that oil companies are doing a disservice? Sound a little hypocritical to me...
The Republicans have suggested that the USA govenrment be downsized and made smaller... Could it solve the Oil spill probably?.. Also hepublicans want to cut Government spending .... in all areas..... I guess? ......Haven't got any detail yet to report...on what areas of spending to cut.... Anyone know the answer?
This will be the worst natural desaster in history and sorry two talking lasse faire conservatives, who wanted less Federal intervention in everything, now say the Government can't do enough. Just Sad.
You can't have your cake and eat it too!
it was only a matter of time before there would be a disaster this state okayed the drill baby drill, mob
Just like Republicans to be blaming Obama rather than the oil companies that caused this!! Republicans would never blame Big Oil, their best supporter!
Get real people! The government doesn't have the capabilities to solve every technological crisis!
Rep. Melencon and his state are victims of the reckless "Drill Baby Drill" politics of the 14 years of republican control of Washington and their romance with the major oil companies.
How's that drill baby drill thingy working for all you corporate shills that want MORE wells?
Bush/Cheney had no regulations on ANYTHING. What is next???
My heart breaks for all affected, including wildlife and ecosystems..