A congressional field hearing was held Monday to examine the United States’ readiness and response plan should there be an oil spill off the shore of Cuba or in the Bahamas. 

Several members of Congress, Coast Guard brass and scientists and researchers testified at the hearing, and some of the news was unsettling.  

Right now, a Chinese-made oil platform is in place just 56 miles from Key West, and it has already begun exploratory drilling. Although it has passed regulatory inspections, many are worried about Cuba's ability to manage a crisis if there were an oil spill. 

A scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration testified that if there were a spill, oil would likely reach Florida’s shores within one to three weeks. 

There are concerns both environmentally and economically and politically.