WASHINGTON – Today the House of Representatives took decisive bipartisan action to empower the American economy and passed H.R. 5682 (The Keystone XL Pipeline).

Congressman Huelskamp (KS-01) released the following statement:

“For too long President Obama has put the demands of environmentalists and crony green businesses ahead of the needs of the American people. By refusing to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, the President has denied jobs and real economic opportunities to tens of thousands of Americans.

“The President’s refusal to allow the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline continues this overt hostility toward the oil and gas sectors that could power an American economic renaissance.

“Obama’s actions have eroded our relationship with our largest and most secure trading partner; Canada, and have served to ensure that further North American sources of energy are diverted to competing nations like China and Russia.

“While the part of the pipeline that runs through Kansas is already constructed, the remaining components left to be built would contribute to the direct creation of 20,000 American jobs and potentially 118,000 spin-off jobs. Projects such as the NCRA refinery expansion in McPherson are investing $327 million to take advantage of the Keystone XL project – employing nearly 1,400 Kansans.

“With this bill, Congress is taking the lead in the creation of American jobs, acquiring access to friendly and secure sources of energy, and moving one step closer to energy independence.”