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Spill panel: Congress has done nothing on safety

WASHINGTON — A presidential commission that investigated the Gulf oil spill blasted Congress today for inaction as it issued a report card on industry and government response to the massive BP oil spill.

“Across the board, we are disappointed with Congress’s lack of action. Two years have passed since the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon killed 11 workers, and Congress has yet to enact one piece of legislation to make drilling safer,” said former Florida Sen. Bob Graham, a Democrat who co-chaired the presidential commission.

Congress earned a “D” from the seven former commissioners, who have reunited to press for action to improve drilling safety. The group said Congress has provided neither leadership nor financial support for safety improvement efforts.

Congress’s failure to act stands in contrast to both the Obama administration and the oil industry, which have both made important safety advances, Graham and other commissioners said. The administration received a “B” grade while the oil industry received a “C-plus.”

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