Sen. Ernst Statement on President Obama's Rejection of Keystone XL Pipeline

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) issued the following statement after President Obama once again rejected the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would authorize construction of a cross-border pipeline to transport oil from Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast:

"Once again President Obama is illustrating just how out-of-touch he is with workers and families across the country in his rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline. However, this reckless decision comes as no surprise following his veto of the critical legislation that Congress and the American people overwhelmingly support.

“It is unfortunate that the President has once again turned his back on a historically vetted energy project that would have created good jobs for the middle class and moved us one step closer to energy independence.

“I remain committed to advocating for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline despite the President’s eagerness to make it a political symbol.”

About the Keystone XL Pipeline:

• U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), is an original cosponsor to the bipartisan Keystone XL Pipeline Act.
• On January 29, the Senate passed the Keystone XL Pipeline Act with bipartisan support by a vote of 62 to 36.
• On February 11, the House of Representatives passed the Keystone XL Pipeline Act with bipartisan support by a vote of 270 to 152.
• The cross-border pipeline would carry 830,000 barrels of oil per day from Alberta, Canada to U.S. refineries along the Gulf Coast.
• According to the U.S. State Department, oil would be transported safely with minimal impact to the environment, and cause no disruption to the development of Canadian oil sands. This project contains strong protections and will comply with federal, state and local authorities.
• The Keystone XL Pipeline sets up basic energy infrastructure for future needs and is necessary to the progress of our country.
• Construction of the pipeline will stimulate the American economy through the creation of 42,000 new construction jobs and add an estimated $3.4 billion to GDP.
• This project has been under review for over six years and encountered numerous unnecessary delays by the Obama administration.
• There is broad-based support behind construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and AFL-CIO.