The Senate could take up legislation “to tighten oversight and regulation on offshore drilling as early as this week,” Congressional Quarterly reports.
Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin , D-Ill., said it’s possible that the first legislative responses to the oil spill from an offshore rig in the Gulf of Mexico could reach the floor as amendments to the financial overhaul bill now on the Senate floor.
“With the spill in Gulf of Mexico it’s front and center,” Durbin told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “I wouldn’t be surprised if amendments came up on the banking bill. I’ve seen the Senate in action before, and if there’s something that’s front and center on the minds of the American people we respond to it.”
Even as lawmakers “rush to put together legislative responses to the spill, none appeared to be trying halt drilling in the gulf altogether.”
Instead, they are likely to focus on increasing inspections, oversight and safety requirements on offshore rigs. There could also be broad support for measures to halt new deep-water exploration and ensure that oil companies will foot the bill for cleanup.
(credit image – reuters)
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