TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 12, 2010

Dear Madam Speaker:

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a massive and potentially

unprecedented environmental disaster that can seriously damage

the economy and environment of our Gulf States and jeopardize

the livelihoods of thousands of Americans who live throughout

the Gulf region.

That is why since the initial explosion on the drilling rig

occurred, the Federal Government has launched and coordinated

a unified and relentless response to this crisis.

From day one of this spill, we made preparations to stage

equipment and personnel for a worst-case scenario, and there

is underway a sustained, multi-agency response to this disaster.

My Administration and I will not rest -- or be satisfied --

until the leak is stopped at the source, the oil on the Gulf is

contained and cleaned up, and the people of this region are able

to go back to their lives and livelihoods.

Part of that effort is to hold BP, and other responsible parties

in this spill, accountable for the crisis. The Federal

Government will aggressively pursue full compensation for the

containment and clean up, as well as any damages incurred

because of this spill.

At the same time, I will spare no effort to clean up whatever

damage is caused, assist those whose livelihoods have been

affected by this spill, and restore the Gulf coast. We cannot

allow the potentially protracted pursuit of claims to prevent

us from swift action to help those harmed by this spill.

That is why I ask the Congress to consider the enclosed

amendment to Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 proposals in my FY 2011

Budget.

The amendment includes General Provision proposals for the

Departments of Labor, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, the

Interior, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and the

Treasury, and the Environmental Protection Agency. I request

these proposals be considered as emergency requirements, since

this request responds to urgent and essential needs.

The details of this request are set forth in the enclosed letter

from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.


Together, these amendments will provide critical funds and

authorities needed to respond to this spill as well as changes

to current law to better prepare the Nation for any future

spills.

The people of the Gulf region -- the hardworking individuals,

families, and business owners -- have already begun to incur

significant economic losses due to this disaster. They face the

prospect of greater losses as the full impact becomes clear, in

large part because of the unique relationship between their

traditional livelihoods and the fragile environment. The Gulf

coast is one of the richest and most beautiful ecosystems on the

planet, and for centuries, its residents have enjoyed and made a

living from the fish that swim in these waters and the wildlife

that inhabit these shores. We will do everything in our power

to support those who are affected by the spill, protect our

natural resources, demand reimbursement from the responsible

parties for costs incurred, rebuild what has been damaged, and

help this region persevere as it has done so many times before.


Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA