Roger Williams: Keystone Pipeline Would Have Created Jobs and Energy Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Roger Williams (R-Texas) today issued the following statement after President Barack Obama vetoed congressional legislation that approved the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline:

"I am frustrated that this president disregards the advice of everyone except his close circle of political insiders and government bureaucrats," said Williams. "The Keystone pipeline would have created jobs and ensured energy security from a trusted friend and neighbor.

"Rather than doing what is best for our country President Obama is more concerned with appeasing the baseless claims of his wealthy environmentalist supporters than governing by the wishes of the majority of Americans and their lawmakers. While President Obama has no problem reminding us he was reelected, he forgets he said that the midterm elections would be a referendum on his administration's policies."

The U.S. State Department's Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement released last year found that the Keystone XL pipeline would have no significant impact on the environment and that Canada would likely develop its energy resources with or without U.S. approval of a pipeline. Last month it was reported that a CNN conducted poll of more than 1,000 Americans found that just 28 percent opposed construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

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