“So again, I say: what’s the purpose of today’s vote? The obstacle to getting Keystone built is not the Energy Committee. The obstacle of getting Keystone built is Senator Reid and members of the Senate who continue to elect him Majority Leader.”
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks.
WASHINGTON, DC –Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) delivered the following remarks in response to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s political show vote on legislation to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline:
Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks at today’s hearing:
“I strongly support the legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.
“This pipeline will create thousands of good-paying jobs, facilitate American oil production, increase our nation’s energy security. So I intend to support the bill before us today.
“I do question the purpose of today’s vote. With all due respect, this vote seems more like a cheerleading exercise than a meaningful effort to get Keystone built.
“Because the Chairman asked a good question—she said are we going to Canada, or are we going to the Middle East?
“Well President Obama was essentially asked the same question Friday, when he was getting on a helicopter at the White House headed to North Dakota, about what had happened in Iraq, the attacks.
“There was a huge spike in oil prices—and he was asked about that—are you concerned about that? He said ‘the Gulf will pick up the slack.’ The President has said we’re going to the Middle East, we’re going to the Persian Gulf—the Gulf will pick up the slack.
“The undeniable fact is there is already a bill on the Senate Calendar which would approve the Keystone XL pipeline.
“It is Senator Hoeven’s bill (S. 2280) which has 55 cosponsors—Republicans and Democrats.
“Senator Hoeven’s bill has been pending on the Calendar since May 1st.
“In other words, the Senate Majority Leader could have scheduled a vote on Senator Hoeven’s bill at any time over the last seven weeks.
“In fact, Senator Reid can schedule a vote on the bill today, tomorrow. But he won’t do that.
“He won’t do it because he opposes the pipeline, the President opposes the pipeline, and they’ve done everything in their power to stop it.
“So again, I say: what’s the purpose of today’s vote?
“The obstacle to getting Keystone built is not the Energy Committee. The obstacle of getting Keystone built is Senator Reid and members of the Senate who continue to elect him Majority Leader.
“Over the last 11 months, Senator Reid has allowed the Senate to vote on only 9 amendments of the 810 amendments filed by Senate Republicans.
“During that same time, he has allowed the Senate to vote on only 7 amendments of the 676 amendments proposed and filed by Senate Democrats.
“9 amendments for Republicans and 7 amendments for Democrats.
“He has spent years undermining the rights of Republican and Democrat Senators alike.
“And those who vote for him as Leader enable this behavior. There is no reason to believe that he’s going to change his tune.”
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