Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) issued the following statement today regarding thenews that BP CEO Tony Hayward has stepped down from his position.  Hayward “testified” before the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations in June.  He failed to directly answer any questions asked about the ongoing disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Rep. Engel is a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.  His questioning and Mr. Hayward’s answers can be viewed here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNCj6Tq5VJQ.  During Mr. Hayward’s daylong testimony, he continually dodged questions and claimed a lack of knowledge on the details which led to the spill.  Rep. Engel told him that “I, like everyone else here, and everyone else in America, are totally disgusted.  I think you are stalling, you are insulting our intelligence and I really resent it.” 

Rep. Engel said, “I am hopeful that BP will now consider sending the new CEO back to Congress, as soon as possible, to actually answer the questions posed by Members of Congress on behalf of the American people, and the world.  It would be a refreshing change from when Hayward came here and wasted the time of Congress, the BP stockholders and the struggling people of the Gulf region.  Cleaning up their mess, and working with the American government, should be priority number one right now.  It is a shame it has taken so long for them to realize it.”

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