House Republicans: keep Keystone in transport bill

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

House Republicans: keep Keystone in transport bill

By Roberta Rampton and Richard Cowan
WASHINGTON | Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:46pm EDT

(Reuters) - Republicans in the House of Representatives are insisting that a measure to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline must be part of a transportation funding bill, a stance that could hobble negotiators sprinting to try to reach a deal on the legislation this week.

Federal funding for transportation projects expires on Saturday. As many as 3 million jobs hinge on the legislation, and failure to pass it would have a direct impact on the economy ahead of the November 6 general election.

Last-ditch weekend talks had yielded glimmers of compromise on some sticking points in the proposed two-year, $109 billion package to pay for road, bridge and rail construction. But the Canada-to-Texas pipeline remains a major hurdle.

"We strongly support responsible highway reforms to cut permitting time in half, reduce duplicative federal programs, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, as well as job-creating energy initiatives like Keystone," said Kevin Smith, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/25/us-usa-transportation-idUSBRE85O17R20120625

[Thinkingabout]

1. Attach the pipeline bill to Obama's transportation bill

Then we could see the republicans squirm. Better yet attach it to raising taxes on upper level incomes.

[littlewolf]

2. we have to take the house first ... nt

[Thinkingabout]

3. I like your idea!!!!!!