Cassidy to Obama: Keystone approval ‘obvious’

Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) calls on President Obama in this week’s GOP weekly address to approve the last leg of the Keystone XL pipeline.

“The case for approving the pipeline is clear and obvious,” Cassidy said Saturday. 

{mosads}“This is a perfect example of what the American people want President Obama and Congress to do. Americans’ frustration with the President’s failure to strengthen the economy, create jobs and make America energy secure was evident in the election November 4.” 

If the current pipeline proposal is ultimately approved, its 1,200-mile final leg would through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Okalahoma and Texas.

Cassidy, who will face Sen. Mary Landrieu in a Dec. 6 Senate runoff, used the opportunity to showcase his ability to pass legislation.

The House voted 252-161 for Cassidy’s bill to authorize construction of the pipeline last week. Landrieu, however, failed to win over enough Democrats in the Senate to pass similar legislation on Tuesday.

“Louisiana needs a Senator who can pass Keystone,” Cassidy said in his address. “Louisiana does not need a Senator who supports President Obama 97 percent of the time; we need a Senator who supports us, the people of Louisiana, 100 percent of the time.” 

Landrieu’s push for the Senate vote was considered a political move that could boost her reelection.

Cassidy noted an earlier State Department report found the pipeline’s last leg would have little effect on the environment and it would create tens of thousands of jobs for people.

“Yet President Obama doesn’t seem to care,” Cassidy said.

Obama, meanwhile, is waiting for a Nebraska Supreme Court to decide whether the pipeline would be in the country’s national interest. He would then decide whether to grant a permit for its construction. 

If Cassidy wins Landrieu’s Senate seat, the Republican lawmaker said he would repeal and replace ObamaCare, fight against Obama’s “executive amnesty” and defend Second Amendment rights.

Senate GOP leadership have signaled they’d like to hold another vote on Keystone XL early next year once they take control of the upper chamber.