Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of approving the
Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline is widely supported by Americans and
by a bipartisan majority in this House and in the Senate.

In the more than 6 years since the application to build the pipeline,
the President has refused to authorize it, citing two reasons. Number
one, environmental challenges. But, Mr. Speaker, the pipeline has
undergone numerous environmental assessments, and the U.S. State
Department's Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement confirms
the minimal impact of the pipeline on the environment.

Number two, legal challenges. But, Mr. Speaker, on January 9, 2015,
the Nebraska Supreme Court approved the pathway of the pipeline.

The President has no more excuses to deny the completion of the
Keystone XL, and I urge him to rescind his veto threat of this critical
energy and infrastructure bill.

Americans want a true all-of-the-above energy policy that boosts our
goal of North American energy independence, benefits consumers, creates
jobs, protects our environment, and preserves our natural resources.

This bill accomplishes all of those goals. However, Mr. Speaker, the
President continues to block this essential energy and infrastructure
project and the jobs it would provide to our hardworking American
families.

Further, due to the bureaucratic delays of the past 6 years, this
project is now costing 50 percent more than its original announcement.

In my district alone, the pipeline has supported over 600 jobs at
Welspun Tubular, headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, where 700
miles of this pipe are stacked up at the rail head ready to put in the
ground.

Mr. Speaker, if approved, this project will provide thousands more
jobs and over $3.4 billion for our Nation's economy. The President is
out of excuses. It is time to approve this project.

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