Unanimous-Consent Request--S. 3305

Floor Speech

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Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I recently saw firsthand the miles and miles of oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico. The scope of the disaster is staggering, and an oil rig the size of a football field shouldn't suddenly explode in a massive fireball and threaten the entire coast of our country. But beyond that potential, if they closed the Port of New Orleans, think of the effect that would have on Minnesota or the effect it would have on other parts of our country. And I don't believe the taxpayers of this country should have to pay for that.

That is why I support the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Liability Act, which will help ensure that the current liability gap for a single oilspill will not apply to the gulf coast oil disaster and make sure that BP--a company that just a few weeks ago flouted its record profit of $6 billion in the first quarter of this year alone--will pay for this and that the taxpayers of this country--already burdened with the cost of the difficult economic times and what Wall Street has done--are not stuck with the bill.

Mr. President, I am supportive of the work my colleagues have done, and I thank Senators Menendez, Nelson of Florida, and Lautenberg for their efforts.

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