Apologizing to BP?

Should we be apologizing to BP?

Absolutely not!

At a hearing of the Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday, Ranking Republican Congressman Joe Barton apologized to the CEO of BP Tony Hayward, saying he was "ashamed" that President Obama "shook down" BP for $20 billion to pay for the damages his company has caused in the Gulf.

Even before I was elected to Congress, I have worked to move our national energy policy away from fossil fuels by encouraging investment in renewable energies, public transportation, and incentivizing efficiency. Our dependence on oil is a danger to our economy and our environment. Clearly, others see things differently.

Oil has been gushing for two months. Attempts to stop the leak have failed. Wildlife– from birds to dolphins – are dead or dying. The livelihoods for thousands in the fishing and hospitality industry have been lost. And in the face of this disaster, Rep. Barton is still so stuck in the “Drill, baby, drill” mindset that he has to apologize to Mr. Hayward. If the Republicans were to take back the House this November, Rep. Barton would be the head of the committee that provides oversight and regulation to the oil industry!

I have worked hard to help elect Democrats who share a vision of a clean energy future to replace Republicans content with the status quo. We can't continue to try to drill our way out of our energy problems and we must have representatives in Congress who understand that!