Rep. Barton: I apologize for Obama’s "shakedown"
Liveblog by Khan
Rep. Barton from TX, drawing murmurs from across the room, publicly apologizes to BP for the White House’s success in getting BP to commit to a $20 Billion escrow account to compensate the people who have suffered from the oil spill.
Calling the White House’s efforts a "shakedown", and hinting that they may be illegal, Barton decries President Obama’s pressure on the sanctity of a "private" corporation. Barton is "ashamed", and analogizes the WH’s actions to a member of a Congressional oversight committee coercing BP to spend $20 Billion in his district.
Hmm. This is interesting from a lawmaker who has sponsored or cosponsored more than $50 million in Congressional earmarks since 2008, mostly for that same district. Why is it bad to get BP to pay compensation for its misdeeds, and good to ding taxpayers for pork projects in your district?