Senate Democrats will attempt to attach provisions on clean energy and oil exports to legislation authorizing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline when the upper chamber begins debating the bill this week, Sen. Chuck Schumer said Sunday.
The measures are unlikely to garner enough support in the GOP-held Senate, much as they’ve failed on Keystone XL bills in previous years in the Republican House. But Schumer said that the amendments his caucus plans to offer will make the legislation “more of a jobs bill,” as he downplayed the 35 permanent jobs the State Department said that TransCanada Corp.’s project would create.
“We’re going to introduce an amendment to say that the steel used in the pipeline should be made in America, creating American jobs. We’re going to introduce an amendment that says that the oil that is used in the pipeline should be used in America,” the New York Democrat said on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” adding that the caucus will also “introduce an amendment to add clean energy jobs.”
Keystone XL has been under federal review for more than six years. TransCanada needs a cross-border permit from State to finish the northern leg of the 1,700-mile pipeline, which stretches into Canada.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will host a hearing on the bill Wednesday and a committee vote Thursday, setting up a vote the following week. Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said he’d stick to “regular order” and allow an open amendment process, leading to the potential for Democrats and Republicans to offer potentially contentious provisions.
The same legislation failed by one vote in November when the Senate was under Democratic control, and many suspect the bill now has the 60 votes needed to pass with Republicans in the majority. The bill’s backers have touted the 42,100 direct and indirect jobs that State projects it would create during a two-year building phase, and also note Foggy Bottom said Keystone XL wouldn’t pose significant environmental risks.
But even if the bill passes, Schumer said he’s confident the Senate could “sustain” a veto from President Obama.
Obama has taken an increasingly negative stance on the Canada-to-Gulf Coast pipeline. He’s echoed concerns of environmental groups that oppose Keystone XL that the oil sands the pipeline would transport are destined for foreign markets. He’s also said whether the pipeline exacerbates climate change will be a top consideration.
Sen. John Thune noted on “Fox News Sunday” that the pipeline’s centrist Democratic and Republican boosters are facing stiff odds when it comes to Obama signing legislation to OK the pipeline.
“We’re going to find out very early, I think, whether or not the president wants to play ball. Based on our past experience, it would be a triumph of hope over experience,” the South Dakota Republican said.
