The bill asserts that Congress can approve the pipeline through its authority under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution
Sen. David Vitter, R-La., along with fellow Republican Sens. John Hoeven of North Dakota and Richard Lugar of Indiana, is planning to introduce legislation next week asserting congressional rights to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline proposed between Canada and Gulf Coast refineries. President Barack Obama has rejected the pipeline, saying he would reconsider his decision once environmental studies are done for a revised pipeline route in Nebraska.
View full sizeSen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., second from left, gestures during a news conference on the Keystone XL Pipeline on Capitol Hill on Nov. 30. The Republican senators shown are, from left, Richard Lugar, Hoeven, James Inhofe, David Vitter, John Thune, Mike Johanns, Lisa Murkowski, Johnny Isakson, Lamar Alexander and Kay Bailey Hutchison. The bill, being introduced with 44 sponsors including one Democrat, asserts that Congress can approve the pipeline through its authority under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
It will be tough to get the bill through the Democratic-controlled Senate, and ultimately signed into law by the president, though GOP leaders are seeking ways to add it to "must pass" legislation. Republicans point to the benefits of getting more oil to the United States from a neighboring U.S. ally. But Obama, backed by environmental groups, said the safety of the pipeline project can't be determined until a specific route for the pipeline in Nebraska is developed and evaluated.
Bruce Alpert can be reached at balpert@timespicayune.com or 202.450.1406. Jonathan Tilove can be reached at jtilove@timespicayune.com or 202.450.1404.