Jared Huffman: “I thank the gentleman from Oregon. Mr. Speaker, we are considering today yet another bill to force approval of the…”

“I thank the gentleman from Oregon. Mr. Speaker, we are considering today yet another bill to force approval of the Keystone XL pipeline outside of the regular order required for all other international energy infrastructure projects. This is a very early Christmas present from the United States Congress to one specific Canadian company. The vote effectively exempts TransCanada from the rigorous analysis and the permitting standards that all American companies are held to. Worse yet, TransCanada will be exempt from paying into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund that all conventional crude companies are supposed to pay into. So merry Christmas, TransCanada. And what gift can we expect in return? Well, carbon pollution and heavy crude shipped through our country to export terminals and higher gas prices. Let's remember: TransCanada is on record saying that the Keystone XL pipeline would increase the price of oil in the United States. So instead of rigorous, deliberative process, the GOP majority is rushing to raise gas prices in this country. This Christmas present to TransCanada is actually like a lump of coal for U.S. consumers at the pump. It is certainly a lump of coal for communities who are sure to be impacted by this pipeline when something goes wrong. And it is absolutely a huge lump of coal for our global climate. Congress should reject this massive corporate giveaway. We still have another 41 shopping days until Christmas.…”