The bill gives Obama 60 days to decide about the Keystone pipeline — which is not-so-coincidentally the same amount of time before Congress will have to extend the temporary bill again.◼ GOP: Keystone oil will stay in tax bill - USA Today
◼ Dem Senate Approves - CNN
◼ FLASHBACK: Obama promises to reject - Real Clear Politics
◼ DEMS: Obama will kill pipeline
◼ Estimated to create thousands of jobs - KTVQ
The White House has delayed making a decision on the pipeline until after next year's election, but Republicans want to pass a bill that would require a State Department permit for the pipeline within 60 days, forcing President Obama to make a decision.◼ Fmr. top adviser says approval of Keystone a matter of national security
Republicans say the pipeline project would create jobs and increase the country's energy independence.
"What we do know is that if it were allowed to go forward, if the administration would simply get it out of the way and let it go forward, it would create jobs almost immediately," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said. "Lots of jobs."
Montana's Democrat Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester also like the potential job creation from the Keystone project.
"We need to put Montanans back to work and cannot afford further delays to the Keystone XL pipeline," Baucus said. "I strongly support the jobs and energy security presented by Keystone XL but am still reviewing this bill to make sure it's right for Montana."
"The Keystone pipeline will create Montana jobs and it should not have to wait 14 months for an up-or-down decision," said Democratic Senator Jon Tester. "I look forward to the project moving forward as long as TransCanada protects private property rights and as long as it is committed to the highest safety standards across rural America."
Republicans say there's no reason to delay approval.
Former National Security Advisor Jim Jones called today for quick action on the Keystone XL pipeline construction, directly opposing the White House he worked for only a few months ago.◼ Green groups outraged at accelerated pipeline plan - Reuters
Jones, who rarely speaks in public and almost never contradicts his former boss President Barack Obama, lashed out against the administration in a press call and warned of grave consequences to U.S. national security if the project to build the pipeline doesn't move forward immediately. The call was sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute and Jones was joined on the call by API President and CEO Jack Gerard.
"In a tightly contested global economy, where securing energy resources is a national must, we should be able to act with speed and agility. And any threat to this project, by delay or otherwise, would constitute a significant setback," said Jones. "The failure to [move forward with the project] will prolong the risk to our economy and our energy security" and "send the wrong message to job creators."
