BP CEO Tony Hayward testifies before Congress

The CEO of BP Tony Hayward is testifying on Capitol Hill today. In his opening statement, Hayward said he was “personally devastated” about the loss of 11 lives on the oil rig. But congressional members are angry and Hayward is in for a rough ride.

Hayward expressed his condolences to the friends and families of those who died. He then addressed his remarks directly to people who live and work in the Gulf Coast region.

"I know that this incident has had a profound impact on your lives and caused great turmoil," he said. "And I deeply regret that. I also deeply regret the impact the spill has had on the environment – the wildlife and the ecosystem of the Gulf."

In their own opening statements, most members of the congressional panel promised they would ask tough questions of the BP executive. But Joe Barton of Texas told Hayward that the White House is shaking down the company for a $20 billion contribution to a restoration fund.

The White House responded by saying, “What is shameful is that Joe Barton seems to have more concern for big corporations that caused this disaster than the fishermen, small business owners and communities whose lives have been devastated by the destruction.”

"Joe Barton has kind of long been an oil man and actually has been a big ally of industry in Congress for a long time," Jake Sherman, congressional reporter for POLITICO, told Patt Morrison today.
"It really hurts Republicans. They have walked a fine balance not be seen in bed with big oil."