Democratic congressional leaders are stepping up the pressure on oil giant BP to compensate economic victims of the gulf oil spill fully as President Barack Obama prepares to offer condolences to the relatives of the 11 rig workers killed in the explosion.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "Every taxpayer in America must know that BP will be held accountable for what is owed." She spoke at the White House after Obama met with congressional leaders of both parties.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky agreed BP has to "clean up the spill." But he says Democratic lawmakers shouldn't use the tragedy to try to build support for an energy bill.
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