Daines: Democrats Voted to Reopen Keystone but Schumer-Driven Move Nixed Amendment

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) sent out an email on Thursday celebrating the passage of an amendment in the budget resolution to restart the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline to preserve jobs and energy independence — including two Democrats who voted for it.

“Following passage of his amendment showing support for the Keystone XL pipeline, U. S. Senator Steve Daines today called on his Democratic colleagues to join his legislation to authorize its construction,” the email said.

“I’m glad to see my amendment in support of the Keystone XL pipeline pass the Senate,” Daines said in a statement. “To the Senate Democrats who voted yes, your support can’t stop here. Now it’s time to cosponsor my bill to authorize the project.”

“Montana and our country need this pipeline,” Daines said. “Our workers need this pipeline. Americans have already been given the pink slip. Their paychecks—gone. Let’s pass my bill and get it done.”

But overnight the resolution was changed after Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) issued his own last-minute amendment.

“In the wee hours of the morning, in the most D. C. swampy way possible, Senate Democrats flip flopped on their support for American energy and union jobs by killing Senator Daines’ Keystone XL Pipeline amendment and another supporting fracking,” a Daines spokesperson said in a statement distributed on Friday. “They thought they could get away with it while the American people were asleep.”

“Folks will know that when it came down to it, every ... (Read more)

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