JACKSON, Miss. – New federal legislation, if law, would bypass the Obama administration and approve construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast. Miss. Senators, Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker are supporters.
The bill would need 60 votes to pass the US Senate, and would likely pass GOP-lead House. However, it is unlikely that the bill would survive a presidential veto.
“If the Obama administration is unwilling to make a decision on a project that would create thousands of American jobs and improve our energy security, then let Congress make it,” said Cochran.
“There is no excuse for missed opportunities in today’s economy, especially when 10.5 million Americans can’t find work,” said Wicker.
The White House recently announced that it would delay a decision indefinitely on whether to allow the Keystone pipeline to be permitted for construction. The project has been under review for more than five years.