Barton Retracts Apology Made To BP CEO In House Hearing

17th Jun 2010 21:07

By Tennille Tracy Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Rep. Joe Barton (R., Texas) apologized for using the word "shakedown" when describing White House efforts to secure $20 billion from BP PLC (BP, BP.LN) and retracted an apology he made to BP Thursday in a hearing with company Chief Executive Tony Hayward. "I regret the impact that my statement this morning implied that BP should not pay for the consequences of their decisions and actions in this incident," Barton said in a statement. Barton made these statements during a highly anticipated hearing, held by a panel of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, prompting immediate criticism from lawmakers and pundits. -By Tennille Tracy, Dow Jones Newswires, 202-862-6619; [email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 17, 2010 16:07 ET (20:07 GMT)