On the recordNovember 12, 2014
Reserving the right to object. Mr. President, we have been trying to get the Keystone Pipeline approved and on the President's desk since 2012. The leader on our side has been the Senator from North Dakota, Senator Hoeven. We have all supported this effort because we believe the State Department estimate that roughly 42,000 jobs would be created once the pipeline is approved. If the oil doesn't come to the United States and is not turned into fuel here, it will be shipped to China. Unfortunately, the majority has blocked this pipeline several times. It has been stalled for way too long, so I am glad to see some progress is being made, albeit at this late date, after a dramatic election on November 4. I ask the Senator to modify her request so that if the Senate passes S. 2280 and receives a bill from the House that is identical to S. 2280, then the House bill will be read three times and passed with no intervening action or debate, and thus we can send this bill directly to the President without further action. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the Senator wish to modify the request?
