Democratic Caucus U S House of Represen : Chairman Xavier Becerra Votes–Once Again–Against Half-Baked Deal on Keystone XL Pipeline

January 9, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-34), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, voted against legislation (H.R. 3) that would recklessly rubber-stamp approval of the controversial and long-disputed Keystone XL pipeline.

"House Republicans have decided that their top priority for Congress's opening week is to vote once more on a bill that will create few permanent jobs here at home, while allowing a foreign oil company to shift costs onto taxpayers to pay for any future billion dollar oil spill disasters. That's not all. This sweetheart deal allows a foreign company to transport foreign oil over American soil with no guarantee that any of the oil will ever be available for American consumers.

"The American people expect Congress to get its work done and build on the economic progress we have seen under President Obama's leadership. Instead of pushing the same destructive policies of the past, let's focus on rewarding work with better pay for better jobs to ensure that we build an economy that works for all Americans, not just the privileged few."