The Wait is Over: Keystone XL Legislation Sent to the President's Desk

For the first time since an application to build the Keystone XL Pipeline was filed with the State Department in 2011, legislation has been sent to President Obama's desk that approves construction of the project. The House has passed several pieces of legislation to move forward on the project, but S.1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act is the first bill that has passed in both the House and Senate.

"Today's passage shows a commitment by Congress to thousands of American jobs, as well as our nation's economic growth, and energy security," said Congressman Shuster. "This project should have been in construction years ago but was needlessly blocked. Now that Republicans are in control of both the House and Senate we are finally able to send legislation to the president's desk to move forward on the Keystone XL Pipeline."

According to President Obama's State Department, the project will support $2 billion in earnings and over 40,000 jobs. Once completed, the Keystone XL Pipeline will transport 830,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada and U.S. crude developed in North Dakota and Montana. In addition to the economic benefits, the pipeline will also make significant strides for U.S. energy security, as the oil transported comes from a non-OPEC nation.

"The unnecessary delays by the administration on Keystone XL have been due to their allegiance to the radical environmental lobby and not because of policy," continued Shuster. "The president's veto threat undermines the work the American people are asking their elected officials to do. If the president wants to pick a political fight over a project that will have a positive impact on the lives of thousands across the country he can have it, but I believe he will lose. Congress has acted and we expect this legislation to be signed into law."

Congressman Shuster, who serves as Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has been one of the leaders in the House in getting the Keystone XL Pipeline approved, as it falls under his committee's jurisdiction. Prior to today's passage the House had already passed H.R. 3, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act in January along with several other measures in the 113th Congress.

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