Delegation Supports Senate Passage Of Keystone XL

A Senate bill that would support the Keystone XL pipeline project must be signed into law, members of the state’s congressional delegation said Thursday.

The Senate voted 62-36 Thursday to approve Senate Bill 1, involving the pipeline project.

Supporters have said it would bring much needed jobs, including construction and steel jobs, throughout the country while opponents have stressed environmental concerns for their opposition.

“The Keystone pipeline is the type of job creating infrastructure project that America needs. It will create well-paying jobs for skilled laborers and will do so at no expense to the taxpayers. Once built, the pipeline will help maintain lower fuel prices, which is good for all Arkansans – at the gas pump, at the store and for job creation,” said Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.

“The Keystone pipeline has been greenlighted in study after study. We’ve had a multiple debates on it in this body alone, including the lengthy spirited debate that led to passage of this bill. And yet the President is still looking for ways to stop it. The support is here in Congress. More importantly the support is there with the American people. I encourage the President to join with us to get this project moving, instead of being the one to hold it back,” Boozman said.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said the project has a multi-layered benefit to the state.

“Today, the Senate voted to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline after weeks of a robust and transparent debate. This project is a win for Arkansas as it will lower energy costs, create and sustain hundreds of jobs in the Natural State at Welspun Tubular, and provide our businesses much needed certainty. I was pleased the final bill contained additional measures to protect Arkansans and their tax dollars from government overreach and inefficiency,” Cotton said.

“The fate of the Keystone XL Pipeline is now in President Obama’s hands,” Cotton added. “After six years of delays and veto threats, Arkansans and Americans are rightly tired of his weak excuses. It’s time the President put workers and families first. He should sign this bill immediately and approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.”

The bill now heads to the House, where freshman Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, said he looks forward to the debate.

“I congratulate the Senate on passage of its bi-partisan bill to build the Keystone XL pipeline. This is a long-overdue project that is about creating opportunity for private sector jobs and energy independence,” Westerman said.

“It is my hope that the House quickly sends the bill to the president’s desk where I look forward to seeing whether he sides with hardworking Americans – including the Arkansans that have constructed the pipe – or whether he sides with the special interests and political allies more concerned with their agenda and protecting his legacy,” he said.

Reps. Hill, Womack and Crawford have all previously stated their support for the Keystone XL project.