Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Justine Rellosa-Talk Radio News Service

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano defended the Obama administration's response to the massive oil spill off the Gulf Coast during her testimony Monday before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

"We are doing everything we can to ensure that vital response assets and personnel and equipment are efficiently and effectively deployed and utilized," Napolitano said.

According to the Secretary, more than 17,000 paid personnel, 21,000 volunteers and 750 vessels are currently responding to the spill.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I. Conn.), the committee's chairman, took a less favorable approach to the government's activity prior to the spill.

"The U.S government has a responsibility for protecting the public safety ... and that responsibility, I fear was not fulfilled in this case prior to the accident occurring. The result is the human, environmental and economic catastrophe we are now witnessing in the gulf."

Napolitano reiterated that the financial responsibility for all claims that emerged from the spill falls upon BP.

"We are ensuring that British Petroleum, as the responsible party, is paying the costs of the clean up and compensating the individuals, communities, and businesses that have suffered already as the result of this spill."

BP America Chairman and President Lamar McKay told the committee that there will be a new online claims filing system that will be implemented starting this week as a means to help those affected by the slick.