Today, the House Natural Resources Committee approved H.R. 3, the "Northern Route Approval Act" by a bipartisan vote of 24-17. This legislation would remove roadblocks to allow for the approval and construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline energy project. The bill was approved last week by the Energy and Commerce Committee with bipartisan support.

The Keystone XL Pipeline will create tens of thousands of American jobs, help lower energy prices, invest billions of dollars into our economy, and reduce our dependence on oil from hostile Middle Eastern countries.

"As we’ve seen time and time again, this vital energy project, like so many others, has fallen victim to Obama Administration roadblocks and delays. President Obama has held up this project for years, even though it has gone through extensive reviews. The State Department has repeatedly determined that this project would have no significant environmental impacts. Yet still, the Obama Administration refuses to act," said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04). "Keystone XL is good for American jobs, good for our economy, and good for our national security. This important legislation will prevent the Obama Administration from imposing further delays on the Keystone XL Pipeline and I look forward to further action on this bill from the full House of Representatives."

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