Pelosi Statement on President’s Address to the Nation on BP Oil Spill

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement after President Obama addressed the nation from the Oval Office about the response to the BP oil spill, the need to hold BP and Big Oil accountable, the effort to support those affected in the Gulf region, and the need to create a clean energy future:

"Tonight, the President demonstrated he is holding BP accountable for the oil spill and the resulting economic and environmental damage. BP and other responsible parties are going to pay the full costs of the cleanup and the damage to the Gulf economy; we will not allow them to leave taxpayers on the hook for billions of dollars. Congress and the President will continue to stand with the families, workers, and small business owners of the Gulf Coast, and do everything in our power to help them recover, rebuild, and emerge stronger than ever.

"In the House, we are uncovering the truth about the oil industry’s disregard for safety and appalling lack of response plans. We have passed legislation to ensure the federal government can continue its swift and sustained response, while BP foots the bill. And we will pass whatever additional legislation is needed to prevent a repetition of this catastrophe and protect the interests of every American.

"The disastrous BP oil spill is a harsh reminder of the price we are now paying for the Bush Administration and Republican Congress placing the employees of Big Oil in charge of regulating their own industry. We lost 11 lives in the tragic oil rig explosion, and our thoughts and prayers remain with the loved ones of those that perished. We have lost billions of dollars that belong to small businesses and residents in the region, and we have lost irreplaceable resources. In response, our energy policy must move in a New Direction.

"Last June, the House passed a bill to create clean energy jobs here in America, protect consumers, reduce pollution and help free us from our dangerous dependence on dirty foreign fuels while ensuring our national security. Moving forward, we must complete this legislation and invest in a clean energy future founded on American innovation and the skill of our workers. And we must harness the power of the sun, wind, soil, and our natural resources to fuel our future."