President Obama Asks Federal Agencies To Assist With Oil Rig Efforts

President Obama has asked department chiefs to devote any and all resources to the situation in the Gulf of Mexico.

The president on Thursday met with senior administration officials from the Department of Homeland Security, the Interior Department, FEMA, and the EPA, as well as other agencies.  He was briefed on the continuing search and rescue efforts taking place following Tuesday's oil rig explosion off the coast of Louisiana.

According to a statement released by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, the National Response Team has been activated and Unified and Area Commands have been established near New Orleans to conduct response efforts.

The Interior Department is working with the Coast Guard to assess environmental damage, and the department's deputy secretary was deployed to the region on Wednesday to oversee progress.