On the recordMay 22, 2013
I thank Ms. Esty for yielding and for offering this amendment. I have always been a supporter of the Keystone XL pipeline. I have voted for it every time it has come to this floor in any form in which it has come here. This bill, however, goes beyond simply completing the environmental review and Presidential approval of the pipeline. This bill mandates that the Army Corps and other agencies approve permits not just for construction but for all future maintenance activities on the pipeline. The Army Corps review of permits is important to limiting environmental damage and other impacts like flooding. The southern portion of this pipeline, which I'm very happy is underway, is currently being constructed without having to waive laws and automatically approve permits like this. I urge Members to support this amendment so we can really come together in a strong bipartisan fashion to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and get this done and get these jobs created in America.
