Senator Lankford: This Keystone issue is bigger than oil

WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on President Obama’s veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline:

“Since the beginning of this debate six years ago, the dialogue has been dominated by misinformation and political sensationalism. Our nation already has thousands of miles of pipeline flowing through it, which transports crude oil faster and safer than many of the alternatives. All of the inaccuracies have been addressed; it is time to build.

“It’s also ironic for the President to cite Executive Branch protection of the constitutional process for this veto. A President who has repeatedly overstepped his boundaries on issue after issue, including immigration, is now criticizing Congress for acting on this permit.

“This Keystone issue is bigger than oil; it is a demonstration of an Executive that refuses to answer a simple pipeline permit request. The President refuses to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the infrastructure project itself. For six years, his answer has been ‘wait.’

“Today’s veto is further proof that President Obama is more focused on politics and satisfying special interests, than growing the economy and securing energy independence for America. After Republicans took control of the Senate, President Obama said he wanted to work with Republicans; the Keystone XL Pipeline was a perfect opportunity for a bipartisan accomplishment and the President walked away.”

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