Would House Dems Stand Up for Keystone Energy and Jobs by Overriding Obama’s Veto?

April 19, 2012

FYI, a similar version of this release below went out to the following districts: Jason Altmire (PA-12), John Barrow (GA-12), Tim Bishop (NY-01), Leonard Boswell (IA-03), Bruce Braley (IA-01), Ben Chandler (KY-06), Jim Costa (CA-16), Mark Critz (PA-12), Brian Higgins (NY-26), Kathy Hochul (NY-27), Bill Keating (MA-09), Larry Kissell (NC-08), David Loebsack (IA-02), Jim Matheson (UT-04), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04), Mike McIntyre (NC-07), Michael Michaud (ME-02), Bill Owens (NY-21), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), Collin Peterson (MN-07), Nick Rahall (WV-03), Tim Walz (MN-01), John Yarmuth (KY-03)

Would McIntyre Stand Up for Keystone Energy and Jobs by Overriding Obama’s Veto?
House Passes Keystone Pipeline Approval by a Veto-Proof Majority After Obama Administration Issues Veto Threat

WASHINGTON — Yesterday the House overwhelmingly approved the popular Keystone XL pipeline project by a veto-proof majority (Roll Call #170, 4/18/12) after the Obama Administration issued a veto threat for the bill. This means Mike McIntyre will have an opportunity to stand up and support the Keystone pipeline’s opportunities for jobs and energy independence in the face of his Democrat leaders’ strong objections. Would McIntyre support an override of President Obama’s veto of this crucial energy project in the midst of soaring gas prices and a struggling economy?

“Mike McIntyre will have a crucial choice to make after President Obama made it clear once again that anti-energy Democrat donors are politically more important than middle-class families dealing with prices at the pump and a lagging economy,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “Would McIntyre embrace a real all-the-above energy policy in America by standing up to the Obama Administration’s war on energy?”

The Obama Administration issued a veto threat against a House infrastructure package because it included approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project that President Obama rejected three months ago:

“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)

But the House passed the bill with a veto-proof supermajority, making a veto override possible:

“Wednesday’s 293-127 vote on the transportation extension was the fifth time the House voted on the proposed oil pipeline project in the last two years. It was the third time House Republicans adopted the language authorizing the FERC to approve the pipeline — and there’s no indication either side will let up.” (Darren Goode, “House passes Keystone XL pipeline – again,” Politico, 4/18/12)

Would House Dems Stand Up for Keystone Energy and Jobs by Overriding Obama’s Veto? http://ow.ly/anQDP #powerfailure

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