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Bill Introduced to Approve Portion of XL Pipeline

Senator Mike Johanns, R-Neb., wants to see a major portion of the Keystone XL pipeline under construction.  To do so, the Johanns is co-sponsoring legislation that would allow Congress to vote on granting TransCanada the required permits to begin construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.  But that does not include the pipeline going through Nebraska.  That route is still being negotiated.

The legislation builds off the completed Environmental Impact Statement finished by the U.S. State Department on August 26, 2011.

Among the cosponsors of the legislation are Senators Richard Lugar, R-Ind., Roy Blunt, R-Mo., David Vitter, R-La., and John Hoeven, R-N.D. The bill is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 44 Senators. Despite President Barack Obama's recent decision to block the project, the Keystone XL Pipeline continues to garner broad bipartisan and public support due to its ability to help create thousands of American jobs and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.

"The President gives speeches about energy security and creating jobs, but this legislation would actually do it," Johanns said. "The President rejected this project because of politics. Congress now has the responsibility to approve it because it's clearly in the best interest of our country."

The legislation was introduced Monday by Hoeven.

This project would create 20,000 American jobs, generate $20.9 billion in new private sector spending, reinforce America's energy security, and benefit 1,400 American job creators all without costing taxpayers a dime.

"This project is good for America's job creation and energy independence, and that's why I'm proud to join my colleagues to co-sponsor this bill," Blunt said. "More American energy means more American jobs, and this is the largest shovel-ready project in our country today. Yet despite his rhetoric in support of an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy, President Obama has opted to put politics before good policy."