Gulf Oil Spill

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, as we turn on the news networks and we listen about the oil spill in the Gulf, the American people want to know, how could this happen? As Americans read the news about this particular oil platform having had problems over several years, and how equipment meant to prevent an oil spill malfunctioned, they want to know where was the enforcement of safety regulations to prevent this disaster?

The Obama administration and congressional Democrats have called for an energy policy that includes more drilling. Americans are concerned, however, that if the administration can't manage this current crisis, how can we manage even more drilling?

I agree with most Americans that we need an ``all of the above'' energy plan that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil. However, the American people expect answers from this administration. How did this happen? How should this have been prevented? Why was there a delay in the administration providing a response to this disaster? And what will the administration do now? Our Nation awaits these answers.

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