Senate Committee Passes Oil Spill Bill

A Senate committee passed a bill last week that would send 80 percent of oil spill fine money to Gulf Coast states.  The Department of Justice is negotiating now with BP and other parties to determine the total amount of the fines which will be levied under the Clean Water Act.  It has been reported that the amount could range between $5.4 billion and $21.1 billion.  If the bill passed by the Senate committee is not passed by the entire Congress, none of that money will go to the Gulf Coast.  One problem with the bill has been the failure of Gulf Coast lawmakers in the House to agree on how much money each state should get and what the money could be used for.  In July, 9 of 10 Gulf senators agreed to a proposal.  Their House counterparts are reportedly close to agreement as well.  65% of the money in the Senate agreement would be split between the Gulf States. Louisiana would get 17.7%, Alabama 12.9%, Florida and Mississippi 12.8% each and Texas 8.8%.