News Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement on the U.S. Senate’s passage of a resolution to approve construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline by a vote of 62 to 36:

“The new Senate Majority has shown in just a few short weeks what can be accomplished when the United States Senate returns to its roots of regular order, allows open debate on good ideas, and allows for a fair amendment process. While this vote to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline should have happened years ago, I am very pleased the Senate has finally been given the opportunity to take bipartisan action on an issue of such importance to American job-creation and energy independence. When this legislation reaches President Obama’s desk, he will finally be forced to decide whether increases in energy security and American jobs trump special interest politics.

“There is overwhelming support for construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline across the country because Americans understand the importance of this shovel-ready project to job creation and increasing the supply of North American energy. The Senate has listened to Americans and taken action. This is merely the first of many issues to finally receive the Senate’s attention in the new Congress after years of being denied votes.” 

The Keystone XL Pipeline is an additional phase to the original Keystone Pipeline that currently moves crude oil from Steele City, Neb., through Kansas to the processing facility in Cushing, Okla. Portions of the Keystone XL Pipeline have already been built and are in operation, including a pipeline linking Cushing, Okla., to Port Arthur, Texas. The newest addition voted on today would link the existing Keystone infrastructure to the oil-rich Bakken granting greater accessibility to domestic natural resources. Unfortunately, the White House has refused to approve the permit application for the remaining 1,200 miles of pipeline to be built, despite President Obama’s own State Department’s view that this project can move forward. The Administration’s delays have prevented the creation of new, well-paying jobs and economic growth for Americans.

# # #