One hundred thirteen members of the Republican Study Committee issued a statement the day before loose cannon Barton’s remark, calling the reserve fund a "Chicago-Style Political Shakedown." It received little attention until Mount Barton blew. The full text follows:
Chicago-Style Political Shakedown
Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement after the White House announced it had reached a deal with BP to require the oil company to place $20 billion into an escrow fund to pay claims filed against the company in the wake of the Gulf oil spill.
“We all agree that BP should be held fully responsible for its complicity in the oil tragedy in the Gulf,” said Chairman Price. “In fact, BP has already begun paying claims. Any attempt by the company to sidestep that responsibility should be met with the strongest legal recourses available. However, in an administration that appears not to respect fundamental American principles, it is important to note that there is no legal authority for the President to compel a private company to set up or contribute to an escrow account.
“BP’s reported willingness to go along with the White House’s new fund suggests that the Obama Administration is hard at work exerting its brand of Chicago-style shakedown politics. These actions are emblematic of a politicization of our economy that has been borne out of this Administration’s drive for greater power and control. It is the same mentality that believes an economic crisis or an environmental disaster is the best opportunity to pursue a failed liberal agenda. The American people know much better.”
The last line is the only part of the statement that rings true. Americans know better than to follow nut jobs like Barton. A scary item.
Barton is the ranking minority member of the key Energy and Commerce Committee. He would be the Congressional front man to Big Oil if the Republicans take control of the House in November.