Hoyer Statement on BP Settlement

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in response to the settlement reached between BP and the U.S. government after the Deepwater Horizon disaster:

“Today’s settlement between BP and the U.S. government represents an important step in the direction of justice and toward closure for the families of the 11 Deepwater Horizon rig workers who lost their lives as well as the millions of Gulf Coast residents who suffered from the oil spill and its aftermath.  In the days and weeks following the explosion on Deepwater Horizon, the Obama Administration made it clear that those responsible would be held to answer for it and that every effort would be made to recover the Gulf Coast’s economy and natural environment.  This settlement, along with the sustained relief effort over the past two years that has done so much to rebuild Gulf Coast communities, helps fulfill that promise. 

“I applaud Attorney General Holder and his team for their diligent work in reaching this agreement that holds BP criminally responsible for the tragic loss of life, damage to the environment, and release of misleading information about the size and rate of the spill and collects a $4.5 billion penalty for the American taxpayers.  As those who were affected continue to seek justice, we will never forget those who lost their lives and those who are still rebuilding their livelihoods as a result of this tragedy.”