Pipeline Support Continues To Grow Among Democrats, As A Party Veteran Voices 'Hope That This Could Be Part Of A Final Package'

SENIOR DEM: 'The Pipeline Is Absolutely In The National Interest'

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): "I personally think the pipeline is absolutely in the national interest. It'll help us reduce our dependence on foreign energy, at least foreign sources that are hostile to our interests." (Sen. Conrad, Floor Remarks, 12/14/11)

• CONRAD: "I, for one, on this side would hope that this could be part of a final package, and I hope that this is something we could work through in the coming hours." (Sen. Conrad, Floor Remarks, 12/14/11)

• CONRAD: "Canada is going to develop this resource. This oil is going to go somewhere. It, to me, is absolutely in our national interest for that oil to come to our country." (Sen. Conrad, Floor Remarks, 12/14/11)

SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D-MO): 'Make It Go More Quickly' Q: "My guess is if you send them back a bill that… gave them Keystone… everybody goes home for Christmas." SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D-MO): "Well, let's hope we can negotiate something like that… if states' rights are being protected and if this is going to be something maybe that we can try to jump start the approval process, make it go more quickly." (MSNBC, 12/14/11)

REP. JAMES CLYBURN (D-SC): "I'm very much for the pipeline. There is no question about that." (Rep. Clyburn, MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports," 12/14/11)

DEMS: 'Mr. President, America Needs The Keystone XL Pipeline'

SEN. MAX BAUCUS (D-MT): "We need to put Montanans back to work and cannot afford further delays to the Keystone XL pipeline…" ("Baucus, Tester Support Keystone XL, But Not GOP Bill," KTVQ News, 11/30/11)

SEN. JON TESTER (D-MT): "The Keystone pipeline will create Montana jobs and it should not have to wait 14 months for an up-or-down decision…" ("Baucus, Tester Support Keystone XL, But Not GOP Bill," KTVQ News, 11/30/11)

SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): "It's truly a godsend for America to have that supply from a neighbor that is friendly… I can assure you (the Canadian oil) is going to be used somewhere in the world, if it's not used in the U.S." ("Democratic Senator Blasts Obama Energy Policy, Says It's 'Bouncing Around Like A Ping Pong Bill'," The Houston Chronicle, 6/8/11)

• MANCHIN: "I'm mean, all the trade unions, everyone's for it, it creates thousands of jobs!" (Fox News, 12/12/11)

SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): "The pipeline will be built, bringing jobs to Nebraska." ("TransCanada To Alter Keystone Route," The Hill, 11/14/11)

SENS. MARK BEGICH (D-AK), MARY LANDRIEU (D-LA) & MAX BAUCUS (D-MT): "…we write today in support of the Keystone XL Gulf Coast Expansion Pipeline, a project that the Department of State has been considering under a Presidential Permit application since 2008. Now more than ever, it is critical that this country move forward with this project." ("Media Advisory - Fourteen U.S. Senators Urge Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to Approve Keystone XL Pipeline," TransCanada, 3/16/11)

REP. DAN BOREN (D-OK): "I commend the Speaker for including the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline that is supported by business and labor." ("Oklahoma Lawmaker Wants Keystone Pipeline Legislation To Move Forward," KRMG News, 12/12/11)

47 House Democrats voted for H.R.1938, the North American-Made Energy Security Act, which states in part: "the President shall issue a final order granting or denying the Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL pipeline." (H.R.1938, Roll Call Vote #650, Bill Passed 279-147: R 232-3; D 47-144, 7/26/11)

"America truly cannot afford to say 'no' to this privately funded, $20 billion, jobs-creating infrastructure project, which would bolster our economic, energy and national security. To that end, we respectfully urge you to ensure that the Presidential Permit is issued for Keystone XL." (22 House Democrats, Letter To President Obama, 10/19/11)

• "…Mr. President, America needs the Keystone XL Pipeline. It is in our national interest to have a Presidential Permit issued for Keystone XL as soon as possible." (22 House Democrats, Letter To President Obama, 10/19/11)

• "The Department of State's Final Environmental Impact Statement reaffirmed the findings of the two previous environmental impact statements, namely, that the Keystone XL Pipeline will have no significant impact on the environment." (22 House Democrats, Letter To President Obama, 10/19/11)

• "…not only would the Keystone XL Pipeline bolster America's economy, but it also would help strengthen our country's energy and national security…" (22 House Democrats, Letter To President Obama, 10/19/11)

• "With job growth an ongoing struggle for our country, the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline represents a true shovel-ready project that would directly create 20,000 high quality domestic manufacturing and construction jobs for Americans who are desperately seeking employment. The project would also create an additional 118,000 spin-off jobs." (22 House Democrats, Letter To President Obama, 10/19/11)

Signed By:

Rep. Jason Altmire, (D-PA), Rep. Joe Baca, (D-CA), Rep. John Barrow, (D-GA), Rep. Dan Boren, (D-OK), Rep. Leonard Boswell, (D-IA), Rep. Robert Brady (D-PA), Rep. Jim Costa, (D-CA), Rep. Mark Critz (D-PA), Rep. Henry Cuellar, (D-TX), Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, (D-TX), Rep. Al Green, (D-TX), Rep. Gene Green, (D-TX), Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, (D-TX), Rep. Tim Holden, (D-PA), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, (D-TX), Rep. Daniel Lipinski, (D-IL), Rep. Tim Matheson, (D-UT), Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, (D-NY), Rep. Bill Owens, (D-NY), Rep. Collin Peterson, (D-MN), Rep. Mike Ross, (D-AR), Rep. Peter Visclosky, (D-IN)