Via The Hill: Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), who represents Pensacola, has called on Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) to resign as ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Miller said in a statement:
I condemn Mr. Barton’s statement. Mr. Barton’s remarks are out of touch with this tragedy and I feel his comments call into question his judgment and ability to serve in a leadership on the Energy and Commerce Committee. He should step down as Ranking Member of the Committee.
Barton, during a hearing today into BP’s role in the Deepwater Horizon explosion and subsequent oil leak, apologized to BP CEO Tony Hayward for the $20 billion escrow account the company will pay into in order to cover damages from the disaster. Barton called the account a “tragedy,” a “shakedown” and a “slush fund.”
Miller has been outspoken about response to the disaster, calling for more resources from the federal government and asking the president to waive parts of the Jones Act, to allow foreign governments to help in the response.
