Obama Anti-Energy Policy Costing Gulf Coast Jobs

Statement

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Joe Barton, R-Ennis/Arlington, today made the following statement during a Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee hearing entitled, "The BP Oil Spill and Gulf Coast Tourism: Assessing the Impact":

"I want to thank Chairman Rush and Chairman Waxman for convening this hearing today. I appreciate Ranking Member Whitfield and his leadership on this issue. I want each of the witnesses for appearing before us today. I know it's a busy time for all of you.

"Since the Deepwater Horizon exploded and sank three months ago, this committee, in my opinion, has conducted a fair and rigorous investigation of the accident and developed what I considered to be a measured congressional response. Our Energy and Environment Subcommittee, Health Subcommittee, and now the Commerce Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee, are each doing their best to review and discuss all the issues surrounding the oil spill.

"As a result of these investigations and the bipartisanship engendered by them, the full committee recently voted 48 to 0 to report out a blowout prevention bill that again, in my opinion, is a balanced response to the tragedy.

"I want to welcome all of you witnesses today to consider our continuing investigation. I especially want to welcome Mr. Ken Feinberg. Mr. Feinberg has competently administered the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. That was a very tough job. I expect him to competently and transparently administer the BP Spill Escrow Account. The people of the Gulf Coast who have lost their jobs or had their livelihoods diminished by the oil spill should be compensated. They should be compensated fairly and they should be compensated quickly. We are going to hear from some of the people who have been affected when we get to the other witnesses on the panel today.

"Tourism, fishing and energy development are vital to the Gulf Coast, where they employ hundreds of thousands of people. The tourism industry, which is the focus of today's hearing, by itself generates over $30 billion a year.

"The oil spill reveals much about the Gulf Coast community. Many of us on this committee have come to know the strength of that community following the vast swath of destruction that was left by Hurricane Katrina nearly five years ago. Gulf Coast people are nothing if not resilient. But with this latest man-made disaster, some of those folks must be wondering what on earth is going to hit them next.

"The Gulf states' economy is tied to earth and ocean resources. The industries along the Gulf are so intertwined that the losses in any one sector ripple through the entire regional economy.

"That's why if we want to understand the magnitude of the tragedy, we must listen closely to those who are being directly affected by the administration's decisions, especially the one to ban energy exploration. I have said this before, but the administration should reconsider its second moratorium decision. I think that's the wrong decision.

"Enforcing a blanket pause in energy exploration is not unlike sending a new oil spill or a big storm to further threaten the jobs of the Gulf Coast. The administration has shown some tendency toward panic, but this shouldn't be a time for panic but instead a moment for more careful, thoughtful consideration. I hope the administration will choose not to forget about the fishermen, shrimpers, or rig workers who share the same uncertainty as those who work on the beaches, in the hotels, and along the retail establishments and main streets of the Gulf Coast.

"This is an important hearing, I would like to thank the witnesses again. I look forward to your testimony.

"Thank you, Chairman Rush. I yield back."

Source