As negotiators piece together the year’s final bills in Congress, U.S. Both Senator Jon Tester and Congressman Denny Rehberg are promoting support of the Keystone XL Pipeline and telling President Obama to move it forward. Each, however, had their own take on how that should be done.
In a Tuesday speech on the Senate floor Tester said “There are a lot folks in Washington paying lip service to jobs and a lot of people playing politics. But it sure doesn’t seem like many folks are interested in doing the hard work of creating jobs.”
Tester emphasized his support for the Keystone XL oil pipeline, a project slated to pass through eastern Montana with an on-ramp in Baker. Tester, who has repeatedly called for protections for private property owners, criticized the President’s recent decision to delay the project. He said “I do not believe we should have to wait until January of 2013 for a decision that can create American jobs right now,”
Tester also clarified that that he is concerned about kitetail the bill is on to the payroll tax bill. He explained “At the same time, I am concerned about the way folks on both sides of this issue are handling things right now. We do not need to tangle this issue up with the payroll tax in a House bill that would add more than $25 billion more to our debt and would cut Medicare benefits”
Tester's speech emphasized private proper rights and stated “Right now the President has the power to create jobs by approving this pipeline. He could make the decision to approve this pipeline in the very near future. Now, let me be clear – he should do it right. Doing it right means approving this pipeline while respecting private property rights. I support this pipeline. But I will never support giving any corporation - much less a foreign corporation - the right to take property from Montanans or any other Americans without a fair deal that is negotiated in good faith. Doing it right also means ensuring the highest possible safety standards are followed throughout Montana and rural America.”
Like Tester, Rehberg called on Congress and the President to stop playing politics and support the jobs Keystone will bring to Montana.
In the audio to the left of this column, Representative Rehberg explains why the passage of the house bill is important to the region and America's pool of jobs in the private sector.
To send questions or comments to Senator Tester, reach him through his website at http://www.tester.senate.gov .
To send questions or comments to Congressman Rehberg, reach him through his website at: http://www.rehberg.house.gov.
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