Debate on a Bill to Boost Safety Standards for Drilling

Posted: Jul 30, 2010 3:00 PM by Melissa Canone

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has begun debate on a bill to boost
safety standards for offshore drilling and remove a $75 million cap
on economic liability for oil spills.
Democratic leaders hailed the bill as a comprehensive response
to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and said it would increase drilling
safety and crack down on oil companies such as BP.
Republicans and some-oil state Democrats opposed the measure,
calling it a federal power grab that would raise energy prices and
kill thousands of American jobs.
Even if the bill passes the House on Friday, partisan
disagreements in the Senate will likely delay final passage of
legislation responding to the Gulf oil spill until at least
September, when Congress returns from its summer recess.

Topics: Debate, on, a, Bill, to, Boost, Safety, Standards, for, Drilling