Cole Statement on Vote to Approve Keystone Construction

Statement

Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act. Passage of this legislation marks the 10th time that the House has voted to remove the presidential permit requirement that has prevented TransCanada from starting construction of the northern route of the pipeline.

Since TransCanada submitted its application six years ago, President Barack Obama has refused to make a decision one way or another. This legislation would force approval and remove the permit requirement, thus creating new jobs (at no cost to taxpayers) and promoting a positive business relationship with our friends in Canada that would lessen America's dangerous dependence on foreign oil.

"I am pleased that the House has again demonstrated its commitment to American jobs and workers by addressing the president's inaction on Keystone," said Cole. "For more than six years, TransCanada has waited for the green light from President Obama in order to begin construction on the northern route of the Keystone pipeline. After environmental studies have shown no significant impact on the environment, and after having received support from a majority of House and Senate Members, it's long past time to build the pipeline and release the jobs being held up by the Administration.

"The president's stated intention to veto Keystone is both ill-founded after six years of hiding behind the Senate on the issue and hypocritical after he previously celebrated the completion of the southern route last year in Cushing, Oklahoma. Unfortunately, the president has decided to cater to environmental extremists, rather than the majority of Americans" concluded Cole.

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