Washington, DC – Congressman John Culberson (TX-07) became an original cosponsor of H.R. 3811, the Keystone for a Secure Tomorrow Act of 2012 (K-FAST) which circumvents the president and allows for the immediate construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. This legislation is modeled on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act, a similar bill passed in 1973. Congress derives authority to enact such legislation from its enumerated power to regulate foreign commerce as laid out in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.
“President Obama has clearly revealed his complete disregard for American energy independence and American job growth,” said Rep. Culberson. “The Keystone pipeline project is not just a pipeline – it’s a lifeline. Out-of-work Americans urgently need the tens of thousands of direct jobs this project will immediately create: and countless industries across our country that will benefit from this project.”
“The President claims to be committed to ‘a future where we’re in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren’t tied to unstable parts of the world.’ However, his policies and his rejection of this project tell a much different story,” Culberson continued. “If we do not act quickly, the communist Chinese will happily snap up these vast oil reserves, strengthening themselves and weakening the United States. Denying this project not only further jeopardizes our economic recovery, but continues to put us at the mercy of unfriendly foreign nations and threaten our national security.”
Rep. Culberson has been a vocal advocate for the Keystone XL project. In July of 2010, Rep. Culberson joined other members of Congress in calling on the Department of State to support an expeditious presidential permit; Rep. Culberson also sent a personal letter to Secretary Clinton in October 2011, again urging support for the project and emphasizing its importance to our economy and national security. Additionally, he supported the language in the Payroll Tax Extension bill requiring the President to make a decision on the permit within 90 days.
Rep. Ted Poe (TX-02) introduced the Keystone for a Secure Tomorrow Act of 2012 with Rep. Dan Boren (OK-02). Additional cosponsors include: Rep. Charles Boustany (LA-07), Rep. Blake Farenthold (TX-27), Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA-06), Rep. Kenny Marchant (TX-24), Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22), Rep. Pete Sessions (TX-32), and Rep. Steve Scalise (LA-01).
