Washington - This morning, the presidential commission investigating last year's BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill released its final report: http://www.oilspillcommission.gov/final-report. Among other findings, the commission reported that systematic oversight deficiencies in the oil industry and government make similar spills possible and that the current $75 million liability limit enjoyed by oil companies should be raised.

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the author of legislation to remove the oil industry's liability limit, today said that the commission has given new momentum to the effort to hold oil companies accountable and that he would move to quickly reintroduce the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act when the Senate reconvenes this month.

"The commission is clear: Not only are more spills of this magnitude entirely possible, but taxpayers and coastal communities remain financially exposed. We cannot continue to coddle oil companies by protecting them when they destroy livelihoods - that's not a privilege given to any individual or small business. Holding oil companies accountable for the damage they cause not only protects taxpayers and coastal families, but it also gives those corporations incentive to actually focus on the safety of their drilling operations. I plan to swiftly reintroduce the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act when the Senate reconvenes later this month, and I intend to work with senators who have constructive ideas to help it pass. The bottom line is that what we enact must ensure that if an oil company spills, taxpayers do not pay a dime for cleanup or economic damages and coastal families are made financially whole."

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