WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) decried President Obama’s actions today to once again block construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and deny the U.S access to a stable and reliable energy source. After rejecting the pipeline’s permit earlier this year, President Obama personally lobbied the Senate to kill an amendment calling for the American energy project to move forward. In spite of the president’s efforts, 11 Senate Democrats joined all voting Republicans in favor of the project.
“A majority of the U.S. Senate voted today in favor of the job-creating Keystone XL pipeline, but this energy project was once again stymied by President Obama’s personal rejection. With reports that the president personally urged Senators to vote against Keystone XL, there can no longer be any doubt about where he stands on this project. The president once again threw in his lot with pipeline opponents who do not want to see these jobs and secure energy supplies brought to America. As America’s largest trading partner, Canada’s vast energy supplies present an opportunity to forge a stronger bond with a close ally and reduce our dependence on oil imports from hostile regions of the world. We know President Obama will continue to say no to these jobs and energy supplies, but Congress will continue fighting to say yes," said Upton.
