On the recordDecember 13, 2011
I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding. I think one of the strongest components of this bill that we're bringing to the floor today is the jobs component that's contained in the Keystone pipeline bill. If you'll look at what we're trying to do right now, we've got some options here. The American people are clamoring for jobs. We've got the ability to force President Obama to get off the sidelines. The President has been good about running all around the country, giving these political speeches and campaigning. He's talking about jobs, and he's talking about the middle class. Yet here we have an opportunity to create 20,000 middle class jobs in America, and the President is saying ``no.'' The President said he'll veto the bill over this one provision. Now, think about that. There is a bill that deals with unemployment benefits, and the President is saying he'd rather people be unemployed than to actually get jobs. They would much rather have jobs than be unemployed. Yet there is the ability to create 20,000 American jobs with the Keystone pipeline, and the President is turning his back on those middle class families. There is over $7 billion of private investment. We can increase America's energy security. If that oil comes from Canada, our dependence on Middle Eastern oil can drop dramatically. We can eliminate a million barrels a day when this comes online, and we can reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil. Let's create American jobs.…
