Political Quotes

“I rise to commend Senator Landrieu for her work on the bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. Since coming to the Senate in 1997, Senator Landrieu has worked tirelessly to reach across the aisle and get things done for her constituents. She has been by my side as a member of the Appropriations Committee as we rolled up our sleeves to break through the gridlock to keep the government open and functioning. She has done outstanding work as chairwoman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, along with her Ranking Member Senator Murkowski, and I am so proud to have her as a colleague and a friend. I am a blue-collar Senator. I grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood in Baltimore during World War II where my father had a small neighborhood grocery store. We were the neighborhood of mom-and-pop businesses and factories. We made liberty ships. We put out turbo steel to make the tanks. Glenn L. Martin made the seaplanes that helped win the battle of the Pacific. We were in the manufacturing business. So I know the value of good, blue-collar jobs. Estimates show that the Keystone XL Pipeline could create 3,900 direct construction jobs over its 2-year construction period. But only fewer than 50 would be permanent. I recognize the need for jobs in construction, but I can't ignore the environmental and legal concerns surrounding the pipeline that still won't be resolved if we pass the bill today. First, I am worried about the safety of our water supply.…”