Senate

Sanders swipes at Clinton over Keystone

by Jordain Carney - 07/28/15 5:49 PM ET

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) took a shot at Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, suggesting that her refusal to take a position on the Keystone XL Pipeline is “hard to understand.”

Sanders, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, said that while he agrees with Clinton on the need to boost “sustainable” energy to help combat climate change, he added “that is not enough.”

{mosads}“We must make significant reductions in carbon emissions and break our dependency on fossil fuels. That is why I have helped lead the fight in the Senate against the Keystone pipeline,” he said in a statement.

“It is hard for me to understand how one can be concerned about climate change but not vigorously oppose the Keystone pipeline.”

Sanders’ comments come after Clinton refused on Monday and Tuesday to state her position on the Keystone XL Pipeline.

The former secretary of State told supporters in Iowa that she would take a position on the pipeline if she wins the White House and the fate of the project is still undecided.

“This is President Obama’s decision. And I am not going to second guess him, because I was in a position to set this in motion, and I do not think that would be the right thing to do,” she added.

“If it’s undecided when I become president, I will answer your question.”

Adrienne Watson, the communications director for the pro-Clinton outside group Correct the Record, defended the 2016 candidate Tuesday, saying her “vision to continue to combat climate change has been applauded by the most ardent environmentalists.”

Sanders’s comments about Keystone came the same day he met with Senate Democrats to pitch his presidential campaign. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) praised Sanders for keeping his campaign focused on the issues, and not launching into personal attacks.

Clinton also met with Senate Democrats during a policy lunch earlier this month. After Clinton’s visit, Sanders spoke with reporters laying out the case for why he was the more progressive candidate on a range of issues, including Keystone.

Sanders also introduced legislation earlier this year aimed at boosting low-income families access solar energy, saying it could help decrease their monthly bills.

– Updated at 7:14 p.m.

Tags Bernie Sanders Dick Durbin Hillary Clinton