Griffin: "President's Announcement Shows Once Again That He Is Playing Politics with the Keystone Pipeline'

Statement

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement regarding the U.S State Department's extension of the Keystone XL pipeline comment period:

"The President's decision to further postpone the Keystone pipeline decision is embarrassing and unacceptable. After five years, numerous environmental reviews and calls from hard working Americans to build this critical infrastructure project, the President's announcement shows once again that he is playing politics with the Keystone pipeline. The President is waiting out this decision through the end of the 2014 election cycle to provide protection for his allies in Congress, while costing thousands of out-of-work Americans essential jobs. President Obama should do the right thing for our economy and allow the Keystone pipeline to be built."

On Friday, April 18, the U.S. State Department announced that it will extend the government comment period for the Keystone XL pipeline. Politico reported that the plan will likely postpone a final decision on the pipeline until after this November's midterm elections.

The Keystone XL pipeline requires a permit from the U.S. State Department because a segment of the pipeline crosses the international border between Canada and the United States. That segment has not yet been approved.

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