The room goes dead silent as Rep. Stearns from Florida calls for the resignation of Lamar McKay, president of BP America. In the context of questioning about the consistent underestimation by BP of the number of gallons leaking per day, Stearns explicitly says he doesn’t want an apology, he just wants a resignation. His scolding comes with rare applause in the hearing room. Florida’s Panhandle coastline, fishing fleet and tourist economy are being slammed by the spill.
Rep. Welch from Vermont follows Rep. Stearns’ questions by aggressively asking McKay who is responsible. McKay says that the responsibility lies solely with BP: "We’re going to pay for all the costs of the cleanup."
Is Rep. Griffith from Alabama correct when he decries his colleagues for "childlike, petulant, accusatory questioning"? Speaking to the oil executives, Griffith sympathizes: "some of you have been subjected to some things that I think are disrespectful."