Investigate Ken Salazar and the MMS

The current disaster resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico has exposed the corrupt culture of the Department of Interior in its oversight of offshore drilling and other mining and drilling permits.

It is also clear that Dept. of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has continued to foster abuses and corruption within the Department of Interior, particularly within the Minerals Management Service (MMS), despite his pledge to 'clean up' this agency. Salazar has allowed his long-standing ties to industry to corrupt his ability to serve the national interest. We call on President Obama to ask for Sec. Salazar's resignation. Further, we call on Attorney General Eric Holder to initiate an independent and thorough investigation of Ken Salazar and the MMS.

All permits for oil drilling, coal mining, natural gas exploration, and seismic testing (but not limited to these only) approved during Salazar's tenure should be suspended until thoroughly investigated. In addition, all current open applications for permits should be halted until any waivers for these applications can be thoroughly investigated. President Obama should also reverse his recent decision to lift the long-standing moratorium on offshore drilling alone many of the coasts of the United States.