Vitter Calls to Delay Hearing on Gulf Oil Spill

The Hill reports that Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) is asking leaders of the Senate Environment and Public Works panel to delay any examinations of the Gulf oil spill for “at least a couple more weeks” because key witnesses are likely needed closer to the disaster.

“I ask that you hold off for the time being on pulling away any resources from the Gulf of Mexico — including individuals that would have to spend time drafting testimony and preparing for questions,” he wrote in a letter to [Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)]. “Until we are comfortable that pulling people and resources away from the incident is appropriate and won’t jeopardize the ongoing cleanup and coastal protection operation, I ask with the utmost sincerity that the committee wait at least a couple more weeks before holding hearings.”

There’s no indication that Boxer has scheduled such an examination. But the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which had originally scheduled a hearing on the spill this Thursday, has pushed back that gathering to next Tuesday.