Blue Dog Co-Chairs Urge President to Sign Keystone Legislation
WASHINGTON – The Co-Chairs of the fiscally responsible Blue Dog Coalition, Representatives Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Jim Cooper (TN-05), and Jim Costa (CA-16), today sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to sign legislation to grant approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The leaders of the coalition highlighted the positive economic impact of the project, and committed to provide strict oversight of construction and operation of the pipeline.
"The American people sent a strong message that they are tired of the partisanship in Washington, and they are ready for Congress to work together," the Blue Dog Co-Chairs said in the letter. "To that end, we urge you to support legislation that grants federal approval to the Keystone XL Pipeline.
"The Blue Dog Coalition understands the need to fully vet projects of this magnitude," the Co-Chairs continued. "We also recognize the renewed sense of urgency to move this project forward and agree with the broad alliance of business, labor, and community leaders that the time for the pipeline has come. The Blue Dog Coalition stands ready to work with you and Congressional leaders to provide stringent oversight of construction and operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline, but we cannot miss this opportunity to create good paying jobs and put America on the path to be less reliant on oil from our foes."
The House of Representatives will vote on legislation to expedite approval of the project on Friday, January 9, 2015.
The full text of the letter is below and attached.
Dear Mr. President:
As leaders of the Blue Dog Coalition, we remain committed to finding common ground with the Republican majorities in Congress on issues that we feel are in the best interest of the country. The American people sent a strong message that they are tired of the partisanship in Washington, and they are ready for Congress to work together. To that end, we urge you to support legislation that grants federal approval to the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Construction of this pipeline has broad, bipartisan support in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. This massive, $5.4 billion infrastructure project has been in limbo for over six years. Study after study shows that it is an environmentally sound project, will boost our economy and create jobs, and is in the best interest of the country. The Blue Dog Coalition understands the need to fully vet projects of this magnitude. We also recognize the renewed sense of urgency to move this project forward and agree with the broad alliance of business, labor, and community leaders that the time for the pipeline has come.
The Blue Dog Coalition stands ready to work with you and Congressional leaders to provide stringent oversight of construction and operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline, but we cannot miss this opportunity to create good paying jobs and put America on the path to be less reliant on oil from our foes.
Sincerely,
Rep. Kurt Schrader Rep. Jim Cooper Rep. Jim Costa
Co-Chair for Administration Co-Chair for Policy Co-Chair for Communications
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