Cochran Votes to Advance Keystone XL Pipeline

Press Release

U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today voted for passage of legislation to expedite permit approval for the Keystone XL energy pipeline, the first jobs bill passed by the U.S. Senate in the 114th Congress.

Cochran is an original cosponsor of the Keystone XL Pipeline Act (S.1), which was approved on a 62-36 vote on Thursday. This legislation seeks to expedite approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project that would transport up to 830,000 barrels a day of crude oil from Canada's oil sands to the Gulf Coast.

"The Keystone XL project represents an opportunity for greater job creation and energy security. It has been delayed for too long. The bipartisan Senate vote, combined with strong support in the House, indicates how interested the new Congress is in passing legislation that clears the way for greater economic growth," Cochran said.

The Keystone XL Pipeline Act could be referred to a conference committee to reconcile differences with a similar House-passed bill (HR.3), which was passed Jan. 9, 266-153. President Obama has threatened to veto the bill.

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