Several House Republicans and Senate members are pushing to revive the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline after President Biden signed an executive order nixing the project in January.
Rep. Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota introduced a bill alongside 83 GOP congressional members that would authorize construction and operation of the Keystone XL pipeline and declare that a presidential permit is not required.
“President Biden’s decision to revoke the Keystone XL Pipeline permit is an attack on the way of life for thousands of people who rely on energy production to feed their families,” Armstrong penned in a readout introducing the Keystone XL Pipeline Construction and Jobs Preservation Act.
The bill was introduced the same day several Republican congressional leaders, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, toured an oil and gas refinery in Houston and met with industry leaders to see how Biden’s latest measure would impact the flow of fossil fuels in the country.
Our oil and gas workers are under attack from an administration that’s putting politics before hardworking Americans. I was proud to join @GOPLeader and several of my GOP colleagues today to fight for the millions of hardworking Americans whose livelihoods depend on oil and gas. pic.twitter.com/QQNnwurPDj
— Congressman Troy Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) February 2, 2021
“The Keystone XL Pipeline would transport safe and reliable energy across our Nation, providing thousands of American jobs in the process and increasing our national security,” Armstrong’s press release added. “We must do everything we can to see this terrible decision reversed and fight for energy policies that help move North Dakota and our Nation forward.”
Biden’s executive order to stop work on the pipeline was signed his first day in office and stands as one of many objectives for the new administration’s economic and climate imperatives.
Halting construction of the pipeline outraged many proponents of the oil and gas industry within Congress, including Sen. Tim Scott, who criticized Biden for ending “1,000 good paying jobs.”
Last week, 26 Republican senators penned a letter to Biden days after he ended work on the pipeline, ridiculing the move while requesting to meet with him.
The legislation faces an uphill battle against both Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, as only 86 representatives and 15 senators support the latest GOP-backed measure.
