US seeks $10 million for oil spill legal costs

WASHINGTON: The White House is asking Congress to approve $10 million for potential litigation costs arising from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

It's part of a larger legislative package the administration sent to Congress this week including help for fishermen and a proposal to raise limits on how much BP might have to pay for economic damages from the spill.

A letter from the Office of Management and Budget to congressional leaders says the $10 million would help the Justice Department pay unspecified litigation costs the administration might not be able to recover from BP or from an emergency cleanup fund.

The White House wants to make BP pay all costs, but the request is the latest indication that some burden may fall on taxpayers.