"WASHINGTON — The House has approved a bill to boost safety standards for offshore drilling and remove a liability cap for oil spills, but a partisan fight in the Senate will likely delay action on a response to the Gulf oil spill until Congress returns from its summer recess.
Democratic leaders hailed the House bill, approved Friday, as a comprehensive response to the devastating oil spill. They said it would increase drilling safety and crack down on polluting oil companies, such as BP.
Companies with significant workplace safety or environmental violations over the preceding seven years would be banned from new offshore drilling permits, and whistleblower protections would be extended to oil and gas workers who report hazardous conditions or other problems.
The measure was approved, 209-193."
Matthew Daly reports for the Associated Press July 31, 2010.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jzgs5RUnejbtYuUEigNXhGzYATgAD9H9T7Q00
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