[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 194 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S8706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to make some observations about 
the Keystone Pipeline. President Obama has said his first priority is 
jobs. Here is an opportunity for the President to show it, a pipeline 
provision that, according to some estimates, would create thousands of 
jobs right away. In fact, those are all the estimates I have seen, that 
this is a project that is ready to go.
  Here is an opportunity for the President to say he is not going to 
let a few radical environmentalists stand in the way of a project that 
will create thousands of jobs and make America more secure at the same 
time. The labor unions support the pipeline, the Chamber of Commerce 
supports the pipeline, out-of-work Americans support it, and a growing 
number of Democrats are expressing their support as well.
  Here are a few of the comments we heard from Democrats just this very 
week. Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota said:

       I personally think the pipeline is absolutely in the 
     national interest. It'll help us reduce our dependence on 
     foreign energy, at least foreign sources that are hostile to 
     our interests.

  Senator Conrad further said:

       I, for one, on this side hope that this could be part of a 
     final package and I hope that this is something we could work 
     through in the coming hours.

  Senator McCaskill:

       If States rights are being protected and if this is going 
     to be something maybe, that we can try to jump start the 
     approval process, make it go more quickly.

  Representative Clyburn, one of the leaders of the Democratic 
conference in the House:

       I'm very much for the pipeline. There is no question about 
     that.

  Congress should do something, not just assist people who are 
struggling in a down economy or out of work, but help incentivize job 
creation for them at the same time. In other words, let's not just pass 
a bill that helps people on the benefits side; let's also include 
something that actually helps the private sector create the jobs 
Americans need for the long term. This is the balanced approach 
Americans want, one that extends help but also offers hope.
  This is just the kind of thing we should be doing around here. Both 
parties like it, the labor unions like it, why in the world wouldn't we 
want to put it in the package?
  The only reason the White House has given for opposing the pipeline 
provision is they would rather vote on it alone, which makes absolutely 
no sense. You are either for the provision or you are not. So I suggest 
here is a rare opportunity to do something truly positive together on a 
bipartisan basis at the end of the year. Let's finish this year on a 
truly cooperative, bipartisan note. Let's strengthen our Nation's 
energy security, decrease the energy we import from overseas, create 
American jobs right now, and let's do it all on a bipartisan basis.
  As I said, there is bipartisan support for this project. We need to 
get it done, and we need to get it done now. The House of 
Representatives has been quite clear that they are not going to support 
a package that does not include the pipeline. Frankly, I would not be 
able to support a package that doesn't include the pipeline. I think 
this is something we could all be proud of at the end of the year, 
demonstrating to the American people that we can work together not only 
to help those who are struggling, through a continuation of the payroll 
tax holiday and an unemployment benefits package, but also create jobs 
at the same time in the private sector without a penny of the Federal 
Government's money by moving this pipeline along.
  After all, it has undergone years of environmental studies. It is 
ready to go. The company is ready to hire the people just as soon as we 
give them the signoff.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The 
Senator from Florida.
  Mr. RUBIO. I ask unanimous consent that I be recognized to speak in 
morning business for up to 15 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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