Don't Let the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Limit BP's Liability!
BP is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation's largest and most influential lobbying organization. Last year, the Chamber spent $144 million opposing reforms in Congress. Though it claims to represent small business, the Chamber's positions nearly always align with the priorities of its biggest, and dirtiest members, including the coal and gas, health insurance and banking industries.
This year, the Chamber has had ample opportunity to defend its member business BP. While BP sits on the sidelines, the Chamber spends millions protecting BP's interests. It continues to demand greater offshore drilling, opposes increasing liability for oil spill damages and opposes increasing liability for workers killed in off-shore accidents.
Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to close a loophole in maritime law that limits liability for off-shore accidents. BP has not opposed this law publicly. How could it? The bill would allow the families of the eleven dead BP workers to recover the same amount in damages as they would be able to if the accident had occurred closer to or on shore. This is simple fairness, and the bill, called the SPILL Act, is remedying decades of disparity for off-
shore workers.
The U.S. Chamber vociferously opposes the bill. Don't let the Chamber do BP's dirty work. Write to your senators and ask them to vote for the SPILL Act.
Dear Senator,
Current maritime law is woefully out of date. These laws, dating back as far as 1851 and 1920, work together to substantially limit the liability a company faces when its negligence causes death on the high seas. In the wake of the BP oil catastrophe, the eleven crew members who lost their lives left behind families whose recovery was limited by these laws. But last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would expand the kind of relief those family members can receive, and drop arbitrary and ancient limitations on that relief.
BP has not opposed this law publicly. How could it? But the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, of which BP is a member, has come out swinging. Once again, the U.S. Chamber has shown which side it comes down on. On the side of oil companies, including BP, Transocean and Halliburton - and firmly against the workers who risk their lives working for those companies.
Senator, don't bow to the U.S. Chamber's pressure. The bill represents a sensible and much-needed update to our maritime laws. Please vote for the SPILL Act and ensure that maritime workers and their families are adequately protected.
