WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 23, 2011) – Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement after BP filed their first oil exploration plan for the Gulf of Mexico since the Deepwater Horizon disaster:
 
“By filing its first drilling plan a mere week after being cited for multiple violations of federal regulations by the government’s investigation team for the Deepwater Horizon disaster, BP now stands for ‘Being Premature.’ The fact that BP is attempting to resume drilling in the Gulf even before comprehensive safety reforms have been implemented underscores the need to have the CEOs of BP and the other companies involved in the disaster testify before Congress on the accident, its consequences and the lessons learned. I am pleased that Chairman Hastings has agreed to my request to have the companies answer questions before the Committee, and I look forward to hearing from both the investigators and the CEOs of the companies on the Joint Investigative Team Report.”
 
Rep. Markey has introduced legislation (H.R. 501) reflecting the recommendations of the BP Spill Commission, but Republicans have blocked the legislation. In 2010, during the previous session of Congress, Senate Republicans blocked similar House-passed legislation that would have improved offshore drilling safety.
 
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