The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation Tuesday that would reverse President Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline.
The bill is the latest GOP-led effort to advance the Alberta-to-Texas pipeline. They're also trying to punish President Obama politically ahead of the 2012 elections for failing to greenlight the project that Republicans call a way to create jobs and boost energy security.Rep. Lee Terry’s (R-Neb.) bill – which passed the powerful committee on a 33-20 vote – is likely heading for the House floor next week as part of wider transportation and energy legislation.
It would instruct the independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a permit for TransCanada Corp.’s proposed pipeline within 30 days, taking the issue out of the State Department’s hands.
Three Democrats voted with Republicans for the bill: Reps. Jim Matheson (Utah), John Barrow (Ga.) and Mike Ross (Ark.). Republican Rep. Charlie Bass (N.H.) opposed it.
Read The Hill's full report HERE.
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