And we simply asked BP a series of questions that we felt -- wanted to know the answers to prior to Admiral Allen and the federal on-scene coordinator signing off on these pressurization tests.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Our federal on-scene coordinator is trying to minimize dispersants on the surface, but there may be times that they're going to use them, but we need to use those in very judicious quantities.

WHITEHOUSE: Daily Press Briefing

In order for a cut with a diamond saw or a sheer cut to happen, the federal on-scene coordinator, Admiral Watson, has to sign off on that -- Rear Admiral Watson, sorry.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

All of that said, Florida, under the federal on-scene coordinator who will be designated today in Miami to oversee the coordination of all operations on the Florida coasts, has been provided discussion, information and guidance to prepare themselves.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing on Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico

Rear Admiral Landry, who was the federal on-scene coordinator, has naturally rotated back to her position of hurricane preparedness in the Gulf.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Obviously any action undertaken by BP to deal with the wellbore and to deal with the well itself requires the signoff of the federal on-scene coordinator.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

The Coast Guard is the federal on-scene coordinator.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing on Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico

And as -- whether it was the top kill, whether it was the top cap, any of the exercises that needed to be signed off on by the federal on-scene coordinator in order to make happen, those were done.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

But that's the role that we have to play -- to ensure that when the federal on-scene coordinator and our national incident commander make decisions that authorize BP to do different things, that the conditions at which that authorization is given are met.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing