"The Senate approved a highway bill Wednesday that includes a long-sought provision for the Gulf Coast: A guarantee that 80 percent of the fines collected from the April 2010 BP oil spill — an amount that could reach $20 billion — would be distributed for coastal restoration to the five states along the Gulf of Mexico: Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Texas and Alabama."

"While the bill faces an uncertain outlook in the House of Representatives, Gulf state lawmakers are anxious for Congress to adopt the amendment on the so-called RESTORE Act before a settlement is reached with the Department of Justice and BP."

Maria Recio reports for McClatchy Newspapers March 14, 2012. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Senate Approves Amendment Giving Gulf States 80 Percent Of BP Spill Fines" (New Orleans Times-Picayune) [3]