Bipartisan support for the Keystone energy project has only continued to grow in the week since President Obama said he would “reject” legislation supporting the job-creating pipeline. 

Yesterday, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) told reporters that Keystone “has the backing of several Democrats.”  “It’s always had more Democratic support than people thought,” she said.  All told, as many as 14 Senate Democrats are reportedly supportive of Keystone.  That’s in addition to the 47 House Democrats who voted earlier this year to require the administration to act quickly act on the project. 

Here’s a rundown of what Democrats on both sides of the Capitol have said in the week since President Obama came out against congressional action on Keystone:

• Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA): “Landrieu says she'd support Keystone in payroll/ui/doc fix bill. Says ‘good deal’ of D & R support for it.” (Trish Turner, Twitter, 12/15/11)
  
  
• Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK): “Another sticking point is that Republicans inserted in their bill language that would fast-track the proposed Keystone X-L oil pipeline extension from Canada down to the Lower 48.  …Senator Begich is supportive of moving the project forward and his office says that’s not a problem.” (Alaska Public Radio, 12/14/11)
  
  
• 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… I, for one, on this side would hope that this could be part of a final package…” (Floor remarks, 12/14/11)
  
  
• 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 jumpstart the approval process, make it go more quickly.” (MSNBC, 12/14/11)
  
  
• Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV): “I am for the Keystone pipeline. …  everyone’s for it, it creates thousands of jobs!” (Fox News, 12/12/11)
  
  
• Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT): “I am proud to again offer my support for the Keystone XL pipeline and the jobs it will create. We need a quicker decision, based on the merits of this project.” (Floor Remarks, 12/13/11)
  
  
• Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC): “I'm very much for the pipeline. There is no question about that.”  (MSNBC, 12/14/11)
  
  
• 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." (Release, 12/12/11)
  
  
• Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA): “‘I think the president’s wrong on this,’ said Cardoza, who is retiring after this Congress.  ‘He can veto whatever he wants, but those are both policies I support.’” (POLITICO, 12/7/11)
  
  
• Rep. Gene Green (D-TX): “Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) said he’s not swayed by Obama’s veiled veto pledge. … ‘The Keystone is awfully important,’ Green said.” (POLITICO, 12/8/11)

Again, these are all things Democrats have said in the week since the leader of their party said he would “reject” Keystone’s inclusion in a jobs bill extending payroll tax relief and unemployment insurance.  For months now, Democrats have joined Republicans in supporting the pipeline – which is also backed by a broad-based coalition including organized labor – because it would help create jobs for workers struggling in President Obama’s economy.