Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico / Talk Radio News Service

President Barack Obama’s plan to explore the possibility of drilling offshore the East Coast is being met with strong Democratic opposition in the wake of the massive oil spill off the Gulf Coast.

New Jersey Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg teamed up with Florida Senator Bill Nelson Tuesday for a press conference outside the Capitol to voice their opposition to the future of offshore drilling.

“The president's proposal for offshore drilling is dead on arrival,” said Nelson.

The trio of Senators said that if the Obama administration plans to pass climate change legislation in the near future, offshore drilling provisions must not be included. In addition, they are also backing legislation to increase the payment cap oil companies are accountable for.

According to Menendez, British Petroleum, owners of the oil well that is currently spewing thousands of gallons into the Gulf, is responsible for paying for the cleanup. But the amount they must pay is capped at $75 million, a figure Senator Menendez says will not begin to compensate losses suffered by coastal business and communities

Nelson expressed the gravity of the situation by saying he will do what ever it takes to avoid legislation that includes provisions promoting offshore drilling.

“This legislation’s not going anywhere,” Nelson said. “If I have to do a filibuster, I will do so again.”