Sen. Marshall Introduces Bill to Save Keystone Jobs

(Washington, D.C., June 9, 2021) – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined his colleagues in introducing the Defending Keystone Jobs Act, which would require the Department of Labor to submit a report to Congress on the number of jobs lost as a direct or indirect result of the Biden administration’s move to cancel construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Cancelation of Keystone construction stands in contrast with the Biden administration’s decision to waive sanctions on the company constructing Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. 

“The Biden Administration chose to fire American workers through government decree and surrender our country’s energy independence instead of taking steps to grow our economy,” said Senator Marshall. “The least they can do is provide the American people with the truth in regard to how many people were left unemployed by the shameless political theater of cancelling the Keystone Pipeline.”

Background:

On his first day in office, President Biden issued an executive order revoking the permit for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The Keystone pipeline project was expected to provide some 11,000 direct high-paying jobs and up to 60,000 indirect and direct jobs and strengthen North American energy independence. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has waived sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Earlier this year, Senator Marshall introduced legislation to authorize the continued construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline following President Biden’s decision to revoke the cross-border operation permit.

Senator Marshall also joined Senator Hoeven (N.D.) in sending a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission urging action on natural gas pipeline projects currently pending before the Commission.

Senator Marshall introduced the Defending Keystone Jobs Act with U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

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