The oil spill off the gulf coast can only be described as one of the worst environmental disasters in American history. And blame for this epic environmental disaster should lay solely on the culprits: British Petroleum.

BP should pay its fair share to clean up the mess they made in the Gulf of Mexico; and yesterday the oil company took a good first step towards being a good corporate citizen [Associated Press (2010-6-16). BP OKs $20 billion escrow fund, halts dividend . MSNBC. Retrieved on 2010-6-17.].

Sadly though, we have two members of Congress who appear not to want BP to clean up its mess or to compensate those individuals whose livelihoods are threatened by this calamitous oil spill.

MSNBC is reporting that Georgia Republican Tom Price is describing the $20 billion escrow account set up by BP as a "brand of Chicago-style shakedown politics."

“We all agree that BP should be held fully responsible for its complicity in the oil tragedy in the Gulf,” Price said. "However, in an administration that appears not to respect fundamental American principles, it is important to note that there is no legal authority for the president to compel a private company to set up or contribute to an escrow account."

Price added, “BP’s reported willingness to go along with the White House’s new fund suggests that the Obama Administration is hard at work exerting its brand of Chicago-style shakedown politics. These actions are emblematic of a politicization of our economy that has been borne out of this Administration’s drive for greater power and control."

Murray, Mark (2010-6-17). Price, Barton criticize BP escrow account. First Read (MSNBC). Retrieved on 2010-6-17.

These comments from Tom Price are shameful.

Even more shameful though is the apology from Texas Republican Joe Barton to the BP CEO [Montopoli, Brian (2010-6-17).  Rep. Joe Barton Apologizes to BP's Tony Hayward for White House "Shakedown".  CBS News.  Retrieved on 2010-6-17.].

It's shameful that two members of Congress representing states with coastal lands would object to an oil company setting $20 billion aside to pay for its mess. But for the grace of God, Georgia or Texas could easily be affected by this oil spill. Then what?

What would Tom Price say then?  What words would flow from the mouth of BP apologist Joe Barton?  Would the two continue their defense of their BP oil buddies, or would they be calling on BP to clean up its mess and pay up?

These are all legitimate questions that need to be answered by the newly-minted Congressmen from the British Petroleum corporation.