Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, the ranking member on the Energy and Commerce Committee, has just now apologized for calling the $20 billion fund set aside by BP a “shakedown” earlier today.

“I want the record to be clear that I think BP is responsible for this accident, should be held responsible and should in every way do everything possible to make good on the consequences that have resulted from this accident,” Barton said, after questioning BP CEO Tony Hayward. “And if anything I said this morning has been misconstrued in opposite effect, I want to apologize for that misconstruction.”