Joe Barton Under Fire from Republicans and Democrats for BP Apology

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Domestic Issues

(Credit: AP)

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) apologized today for his apology to BP, but not before Vice President Joe Biden and other Democrats could blast him for his remarks sympathizing with the oil giant that caused the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Other Republicans in Congress are even calling for him to step down from his position as top Republican in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

During a congressional hearing this morning, Barton suggested that BP's $20 billion contribution to an escrow fund for damages from the oil spill came after a White House "shakedown," and he apologized to BP CEO Tony Hayward for the so-called "shakedown." He was referring to BP's agreement, at the urging of the White House, to make the contribution to an independently-run fund.

Biden today called Barton's remarks "astounding" and "outrageous."

The White House's interest in seeing BP contribute to an escrow fund was not a "shakedown," the vice president said. "It's insisting on responsible conduct and a responsible response to something they caused."

He added it was "outrageous" to criticize the White House's insistence "that BP demonstrate their preparedness to put side billions of dollars... to take care of the immediate need of people who are drowning."

When asked about Barton's comments, the vice president, who is infamous for his verbal gaffes, rubbed his hands on his forehead and joked that he probably should not comment on the remarks. As he addressed Barton's argument, however, he sounded increasingly agitated. He said that it was more than jobs at stake along the Gulf Coast, but that "there's an entire way of life in jeopardy."

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs added that when he briefed President Obama on Barton's apology, the president shook his head and asked why anyone would say that. The White House released a statement earlier calling Barton's comments "shameful."

Barton this afternoon attempted to clarify his comment, saying, "I think BP is responsible for this accident, should be held responsible, and should in every way do everything possible to make good on the consequences." He said he apologized if his comments had been "misconstrued to the opposite effect."

In a statement he made his apology more explicit.

"I apologize for using the term 'shakedown' with regard to yesterday's actions at the White House in my opening statement this morning, and I retract my apology to BP," he said. "...I regret the impact that my statement this morning implied that BP should not pay for the consequences of their decisions and actions in this incident."

Before Barton could apologize for his apology, however, both Republicans and Democrats started excoriating the lawmaker.

BP's 20 Billion "Shakedown"
CBSNews.com Special Report: Disaster in the Gulf

Rep. Jeff Miller, a Republican from Florida, said in a statement he was "shocked" by Barton's comments.

"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 position on the Energy and Commerce Committee," Miller said. "He should step down as Ranking Member of the Committee."

"I don't think anybody should be apologizing to Tony Hayward," Louisiana Republican Steve Scalise said, Politico reports. "I think he should be apologizing to the Gulf States."

House Republican Leaders John Boehner (R-Ohio), Eric Cantor (R-Va.), and Mike Pence (R-Ind.) issued a joint statement calling Barton's comments "wrong" but using the opportunity to criticize the administration.

"The families and businesspeople in the Gulf region want leadership, accountability and action from BP and the Administration," they said. "It is unacceptable that, 59 days after this crisis began, no solution is forthcoming."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched a Facebook ad that leads to a petition denouncing Barton's remarks.

"The DCCC will hold these out-of-touch House Republicans accountable who have no shame when it comes to jumping to the defense of BP and Big Oil," DCCC spokesman Ryan Rudominer said.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by ebrew3 June 18, 2010 3:26 PM EDT: Maybe the Republican leaders need to put on some diving suits and just get on down there and fix that darn blowed out well.

What's the hold up? They are independent individualists! Be unilateral! Protect Americans from danger!

Be Libertarian!; Reply to this comment


by jimatmadison June 18, 2010 10:33 AM EDT: After publicly apologizing to Hayward, John 'you must never tell the truth again' Boehner made Barton publicly apologize for his apology.

Afterward, Boehner and Barton privately apologized to Hayward for apologizing for the apology.; Reply to this comment


by gboyd41 June 18, 2010 2:43 AM EDT: Alphonsus Capone would be proud!; Reply to this comment

by macgerson June 17, 2010 11:52 PM EDT

With all due respect to my "liberal" friends.
What has happened is that the POTUS has unilaterally called in a private entity and demanded that it turn over a large sum to his chosen management.
No legislative or judicial action. No preexisting authority. Just a ukase.
PLEASE ask whether you are comfortable with this type of power in one person's hands.
If you are comfortable would you still be so if that person were [a POTUS whose position you don't support]

Reply to this comment


by gboyd41 June 18, 2010 2:34 AM EDT: The answer is NO!


by Patriciann1959 June 17, 2010 10:35 PM EDT: Talk about a huge political slush "FUND". I am sure the Goverment will
distribute the monies very efficently, with it's "Independent" Obama
appointed third party panel. Now that's a "SHAKEDOWN" real smart to try and bankrupt BP. Everyone in the White House is a joke!!!; Reply to this comment


by rationall7 June 17, 2010 9:12 PM EDT: How about that Bush shakedown for WMDs' (they got'em, we don't got'em)
enough with the Obama crap already.; Reply to this comment


by RichSayers June 17, 2010 8:07 PM EDT: Owned by the Oil Companies? "Since 1990, oil and gas industry political action committees and employees have given more than $1.4 million to Barton's campaigns, the most of any House member during that period, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics." ...reports the Associated Press.
Kudos to Rep. Jeff Miller, a Republican from Florida for calling on Barton to step down as Ranking Member of the Committee. If Barton does not, the Party will likely have to make sure he does to avoid losing more voters.; Reply to this comment


by hillarynow June 17, 2010 7:59 PM EDT: The Texas Bush REPUBLICAN Joe Barton is right up there with Mr. "I want my life back" Tony Hayward and BP's CEO Carl-Henric Svanberg calling the Gulf residents "small people" Republicans are now apologizing for and trying to obstruct and undermine President Obama's efforts to secure funds from BP to help restore the lives of Americans hurt by this Republican run oil industry disaster? You Republicans are absolutely despicable, you don't deserve to call yourselves Americans.; Reply to this comment


by APatriot1 June 17, 2010 5:45 PM EDT: He should be under fire, and if the GOP were smart, he would be removed from this committee. It's another example of Republican blind ideology and political opportunism getting in the way of being able to actually serve as an elected official and do what's right for the American people. You cannot always side with corporations and this is one such time if ever there was one. Were it up to Mr. Barton and his ilke, there would be no regulation or accountability, and limits on liability regardless of fault or scale of the damage. Hopefully there are one or two Texans and Republicans with enough integrity to pull the party from the fringe brink.; Reply to this comment

by longdrycreek June 17, 2010 5:23 PM EDT

Settle down, folks. Joe Barton, as with most MC's has a terrible problem with foot in mouth disease. It has been eradicate in the animal population but in the ranks of politicans, the less than brightest and best in the U.S., the disease is rampant.
This is one example of the disease.
However, what is objectionable about Obama's shakedown is Congress did not vote up or down on the shakedown. As things stand, and Barton could have made the point, without Congressional approval, Obama became a dictator, a role he enjoys even relishes.
I view the shakedown as illegal without congressional approval. But we have done alone with his removal of CEOs and the like since his Inauguration.
Who is next? What industry is next?

Reply to this comment


by Thad Boyd June 17, 2010 5:41 PM EDT: In other words, you're saying he shouldn't have called it a shakedown...and then you proceed to call it a shakedown. Three times.