House approves bill to crack down on offshore drilling, remove liability cap

House approves oil spill legislation

WASHINGTON — The House has approved a bill to boost safety standards for offshore drilling and remove a $75 million cap on economic liability for oil spills.

Democratic leaders call the bill passed Friday a comprehensive response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and say it would increase drilling safety and crack down on oil companies such as BP.

Republicans and some oil-state Democrats opposed the measure, calling it a federal power grab that would raise energy prices and kill thousands of American jobs.

The House passed the bill 209-193. Partisan disagreements in the Senate will likely delay final passage of legislation responding to the Gulf oil spill until at least September, when Congress returns from its summer recess.