WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today expressed disappointment with the Senate’s failure to pass legislation (S. 2280) that would have approved construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. 

Click for video of Sen. Murkowski’s comments on Keystone XL the Senate floor Tuesday.

“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t get the votes tonight to approve this important infrastructure project, but this isn’t over. The Keystone XL pipeline will be a top priority next year for the new majority,” Murkowski said. “It’s been over six years that this project has been under review – that’s more than enough time for President Obama to make a decision.”

All 45 Senate Republicans and 14 Democrats voted to approve the pipeline Tuesday evening, but it fell one short of the 60 votes needed to pass.

“There is little dispute about whether this pipeline is in the national interest. It will boost our economy, our security, and our competitiveness. The president’s foot-dragging has only deprived Americans of badly needed jobs, a stable source of energy from a close ally, and our usual reputation for a fair system in which project developers can have confidence that federal regulators are acting in good faith,” Murkowski said.

Murkowski is the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

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