Smith Supports Keystone XL Pipeline

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today released the following statement after voting in favor of a bill to build the Keystone XL pipeline. The bill, which originated in the House and has also been approved by the Senate, will now be sent to President Obama’s desk.

Congressman Smith: “President Obama has consistently ignored the facts and the American people when it comes to the Keystone XL pipeline. The Obama Administration’s own State Department has said that this project would create more than 42,000 jobs. And despite the president’s unreasonable opposition, recent polls show overwhelming public support for moving forward with this pipeline. I urge the president to listen to the American people and reverse his extreme position on Keystone.”

“We must continue to do everything in our power to preserve America’s energy security and support our domestic markets. Now is not the time to place additional regulatory and tax burdens on America’s energy producers.”

Despite public support for the Keystone XL pipeline, the president has repeatedly stated he will veto the legislation. And in his most recent budget request to Congress, President Obama once more proposed raising taxes on the oil and gas industry by more than $44 billion.

The Keystone XL pipeline has been under review for more than six years.