“The application to construct this pipeline was submitted to the Obama administration more than six years ago. While it’s good news to approve this bipartisan bill, it would be better news if the President would sign it into law. We’ve heard a lot about the need to help the middle class, and here’s a privately funded, shovel ready infrastructure project that would support a lot of good-paying jobs. The President is stuck between the unions that want these jobs and the environmentalists who don’t want any more use of fossil fuels. But the Canadian oil will be produced whether or not the pipeline is built. Canada will transport the oil somewhere, regardless of whether the United States is the destination. The project should be in the United States, where it will benefit our economy and our energy security. At the same time, U.S. policies should continue to support the development of other kinds of energy, including the renewable fuels produced in Iowa. An all-of-the-above strategy is necessary to meet the energy needs of U.S. consumers and businesses.
“The pipeline debate showed that the Senate is back to being a deliberative body. Senators of both parties were able to get votes on dozens of amendments. Already the Senate has voted on more amendments this month than in all of 2014. I look forward to many more votes and debates this year.”
