Lugar Blasts Keystone XL Obstruction

Press Release

Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) today blasted obstruction of the Keystone XL pipeline by Democrat leaders in the face of strengthening support for the project.

"The American people clearly understand that affordable and reliable oil from Canada via the Keystone XL pipeline is good for private job creation, gas prices, and energy security," Lugar said. "Every day that President Obama and Senate Democrat leaders continue their blockade of Keystone XL is another day of unemployment for thousands of construction and manufacturing workers and another day of delay in bolstering U.S. energy security with oil from a friendly neighbor."

Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said about Keystone XL, "Personally, I think Keystone is a program that we're not going, that I am not going to help in any way I can. The President feels that way. So do I."

Lugar is a chief author of legislation to enable construction of the privately funded Keystone XL pipeline. Lugar, along with Senators John Hoeven, David Vitter, and other colleagues, introduced legislation to approve the pipeline, notwithstanding President Obama's opposition.

"We already received a majority vote in the Senate for our legislation despite President Obama's veto threats and personal lobbying against it," Lugar said. "Now more Democrats are indicating flexibility on moving forward with the project. The trend of growing support for Keystone XL will continue. The question is, how long will the President and other Democrat leaders block the will of the majority."

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