Senator Bob Corker released the following statement after voting for S.1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act, which passed the Senate by a vote of 62 to 36. First proposed more than six years ago, the pipeline would have the capacity to transport more than 800,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada to refineries on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. He said several Obama administration reports "have found that construction of the pipeline will have no significant environmental impact along the proposed route."
“There is no logical reason not to build the Keystone XL pipeline,” said Senator Corker. “I’m pleased the Senate passed this legislation that will create jobs, generate economic growth and advance our nation’s energy security. I hope the president will reconsider his decision to veto this bipartisan bill and demonstrate to the American people that Washington can work together to move our country forward.”
Senator Corker, a cosponsor of the bill, also commended Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for his efforts to restore regular order in the Senate by allowing debate and votes on amendments from both Republicans and Democrats on the first bill considered in the new Congress.
“Under Senator McConnell’s leadership, the new Republican Senate has shown that it will allow all voices to be heard so members can represent the people of their states and take the votes we were sent here to take.”
Senator Lamar Alexander, who also voted in favor, said, “This legislation creates thousands of jobs, moves our country one step closer to energy independence and shows the American people that we are working to build a consensus and get things done,” Alexander said. “Our Republican majority has allowed nearly double the number roll call votes on amendments to this Keystone XL pipeline legislation than Democrats did on legislation in all of 2014, which is proof the Senate is back to work and dealing with important issues, just as the American people expect.
“It’s disappointing the Obama administration has said the president will veto this legislation before he even sees it in its final form, and after six years of delay and a Senate debate that has allowed a new level of bipartisanship, I hope he will reconsider. Now we should go on and fix No Child Left Behind, simplify the student aid form so more students can take advantage of Governor Haslam’s Tennessee Promise program, repair the damage of Obamacare and work to solve the other major problems that the American people elected the Republican majority to deal with in November.”
The Senate held more than 40 roll call votes on amendments during consideration of S.1, offered by both Republicans and Democrats. Only 15 roll call votes on amendments were recorded in all of 2014.
Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) said, “I applaud my colleagues in the Senate for passing this common-sense jobs bill. The Keystone XL Pipeline will create more than 40,000 jobs and add billions of dollars to our economy. Even though the president has threatened to veto legislation approving this pipeline, I truly hope that, once a bill is sitting on his desk, he will not turn his back on all of the Americans who would have the opportunity to work as a result of this pipeline.”
On Jan. 9, Rep. Graves voted in favor of the Keystone XL Pipeline Act (H.R. 3), which is companion legislation to the Senate-passed bill. H.R. 3 passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 266 to 153.
Now, the House will either work with the Senate to rectify their two different bills approving the pipeline, or simply vote on the Senate bill, he said.