Extracting That Pound Of Flesh

Senate Dems are playing hardball with BP now and are making the "request" for BP to place $20 billion in an escrow account in order to fund liabilities and claims against it much more than a "request".  Greg Sargent:

Senate Dems have sent a harshly-worded letter to BP execs demanding the money, and note the barb directed at BP over its public relations push:

In order to ensure BP fully and quickly covers the costs of this disaster, we are calling on BP to immediately establish a special account of $20 billion, administered by an independent trustee, to be used for payment of economic damages and clean-up costs. Establishment of this account would serve as an act of good faith and as a first step towards ensuring that there will be no delay in payments or attempt to evade responsibility for damages. Although creating this account at this level in no way limits BP's liability, we believe it will do more to improve BP's public image than the costly public relations campaign your company has launched.

We appreciate your interest in fully and quickly reimbursing those who have been injured by your actions. We believe the establishment of the $20 billion account to compensate victims and provide for clean-up is a useful first step for demonstrating that BP intends to meet its commitments. In light of the urgency of this matter we ask the courtesy of your response no later than June 18, 2010.

The letter is signed by virtually the entire Dem caucus. It's a sign that Dems -- perhaps belatedly -- are displaying some real anger here and are keeping the spotlight on BP and the need to hold it accountable.

The House GOP leadership has now endorsed lifting the liability cap, but Republicans have repeatedly blocked efforts to lift it in the Senate. Dem Senate leaders, it seems, recognize they have a winning issue on their hands and intend to press the point.

Senate Dems aren't asking BP to do this, folks.  They're telling them.  You wanted them to do something about it?  Here you go.

Note the words "first step".  That part actually made me smile.  But not as much as the argument that making the $20 billion fund would do a better job than BP's current PR efforts, that one's classic.  Obama may be okay playing it cool, but the Senators up for reelection are motivated to say the least to take action.