Gibbs: Barton’s comments "shameful"
Liveblog by Khan
As the committee reconvenes, a quick update on the immediate backlash against Rep. Barton’s "shakedown" description of the WH’s success in getting BP to commit to a $20 billion escrow account.
TPM reports WH Press Secretary Gibbs’ statement: "What is shameful is that Joe Barton seems to have more concern for big corporations that caused this disaster than the fishermen, small business owners and communities whose lives have been devastated by the destruction. Congressman Barton may think that a fund to compensate these Americans is a ‘tragedy’, but most Americans know that the real tragedy is what the men and women of the Gulf Coast are going through right now. Members from both parties should repudiate his comments."
Minority Leader Boehner seems to have tried to distance himself from Rep. Barton’s remarks: "I have said since the beginning that BP oughta be responsible for all of this cleanup. The fact is that they’ve agreed to put this $20 billion in escrow. I don’t know what context Mr. Barton was making that remark, but I’m glad that BP has accepted responsibility for their actions."
TPM has also compiled a list of Republicans who have attacked the WH in a similar fashion to Rep. Barton.