Larsen Votes to Block Keystone Pipeline

Rick Larsen joined President Obama again today to oppose (Roll Call #170, 4/18/12) approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and the manufacturing jobs and energy independence it would create in the face of soaring gas prices across the country. Rather than support a real all-the-above energy policy that includes common-sense projects like the Keystone pipeline, Larsen demonstrated today that he would rather appease anti-energy Democrat donors than help middle-class families.

“Rick Larsen chose anti-energy Democrat activists today over families and small businesses struggling with prices at the pump when he voted to reject the Keystone pipeline again,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “Gas prices have soared even higher since President Obama first rejected this common-sense energy project exactly three months ago, and Larsen's decision only helps these opportunities for jobs and energy independence leave for China instead.”

The Obama Administration has threatened to veto this legislation because it would green light the Keystone XL pipeline:

“The White House on Tuesday threatened to veto House legislation to extend transportation programs because it contains GOP language that mandates approval of the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline.” (Ben Geman, “White House threatens veto of highway bill over Keystone pipeline provision,” The Hill’s E2 Wire Blog, 4/17/12)

Since the Obama Administration first rejected the Keystone pipeline – exactly three months ago today – Canada is looking to China instead:

“Canadian government officials, meanwhile, have boosted support for westward-flowing pipelines in order to diversify toward Asian markets. That effort accelerated after the White House earlier this year rejected a big pipeline-expansion project, TransCanada Corp.'s Keystone XL, which would have sent more Alberta crude south of the border. … Mr. Harper and other Canadian officials have said they want to open up new markets for Canada's resources in China and Asia, instead of relying on the U.S. as its biggest buyer.” (Edward Welsch, “With $5 Billion Pipeline Project, Canada Looks to Bypass U.S. For Asia,” The Wall Street Journal, 4/12/12)

Democrats had little choice except to reject the pipeline because their fundraising base has such strong anti-energy views:

“Democrats outside the West Wing and Chicago-based campaign say the politics were clear: With the exceptions of the grousing unions (who will have no choice but to support him in 2012), the party’s donor base, environmental advocates down to their hybrid SUVs oppose the pipeline.” (Glenn Thrush and Darren Samuelsohn, “Keystone decision a political win-win,” Politico, 1/18/12)

By NRCC Press