Estes Cosponsors the Keystone XL Construction and Jobs Act
Washington,
February 4, 2021
WASHINGTON – Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) joined Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-North Dakota) along with House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) and 82 Republicans as an original cosponsor on the Keystone XL Pipeline Construction and Jobs Preservation Act. This legislation would authorize the construction and operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline without a presidential permit. "During his first week in office, President Biden launched an assault on American energy instead of focusing on rebuilding our economy," said Rep. Estes. "His decision to cancel the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline killed thousands of jobs, hurting workers and families who rely on them. This cancelation jeopardizes our nation's independence from foreign oil and will increase domestic fuel and utility prices for all Americans." "President Biden's decision to revoke the Keystone XL Pipeline permit is an attack on the way of life for thousands of people who rely on energy production to feed their families," said Rep. Armstrong. "The Keystone XL Pipeline would transport safe and reliable energy across our nation, providing thousands of American jobs in the process and increasing our national security. We must do everything we can to see this terrible decision reversed and fight for energy policies that help move North Dakota and our nation forward." "President Biden's decision to stop construction of the Keystone Pipeline is catastrophic for American workers and families," said Leader McCarthy. "Its impact on global climate change is negligible, but its consequences for workers, families, and energy independence are decidedly negative. Already, it has killed thousands of good, union jobs, and it could lead to higher energy costs for families and increase our dependence on dirtier Russian energy. At a time when households are already struggling, our immediate priorities are to protect American jobs and promote affordable energy, especially natural gas. What's more, if we are actually serious about addressing climate change, we need smart solutions that provide cleaner energy at affordable prices through innovation, research, and technology. Eliminating the Keystone Pipeline will make both those objectives more difficult to achieve. Instead of eliminating it, we should embrace it. I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation because it defends American workers and promotes a serious pathway to cleaner energy." "President Biden has initiated an all-out assault on American jobs, starting with his day-one decision to cancel the Keystone Pipeline," said Whip Scalise. "President Biden had a choice of whether he would support our recent progress toward American energy independence, lower household energy costs, and the creation of well-paying American jobs, and instead he sold out those hard-working families to appease the most radical left base of his party. Unfortunately, he chose to fire thousands of union workers, turn his back on our Canadian allies, and make our country more reliant on energy from countries that don't like us, like Russia and OPEC nations. The truth is that energy made and moved in America creates good jobs, lowers the cost of gas and electricity for families, and advances American interests on the world stage. By revoking the Keystone XL pipeline permit, President Biden has chosen the opposite path, harming hard-working families, and placing American energy security at risk, while forcing us to be reliant upon countries who emit more carbon to produce the same energy, thus increasing global carbon emissions while crushing thousands of good American jobs. I'm proud to cosponsor this legislation that reverses this radical, job-crushing unilateral action, and instead stands up for American jobs and energy security." |