The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill released its preliminary findings on the causes of the oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. Chief Counsel to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill called for Congress to give the panel subpoena power shortly before questioning BP and Halliburton executives. Chief Counsel Fred Bartlit said that he was hindered by relying on second hand information during the commission’s hearing. This was the fifth series of meetings by the commission investigating the April 20th Gulf of Mexico oil spill.