WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, issued the following statement after the Republican leader rejected a deal to quickly vote upon the bipartisan energy efficiency bill and binding legislation to immediately authorize the construction of the Keystone pipeline, authored by Sen. Landrieu and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.

A long-time supporter of the Keystone pipeline, Sen. Landrieu has continued increase support for the approval of the pipeline, particularly from Democratic Senators. Today, there are 11 Senate Democrats supporting the pipeline, up from only three when Sen. Landrieu led 50 Senators writing to then Sec. Hillary Clinton to approve the pipeline. 

“The Keystone pipeline and the energy efficiency legislation are two significant steps that should be taken now to enhance our energy security and boost job creation throughout the country. Building a more aggressive domestic energy policy that will create thousands of high paying jobs and position North America as an energy powerhouse will take more cooperation than was demonstrated tonight. Mitch McConnell has to be willing to take ‘yes’ for an answer,” Sen. Landrieu said. 

“This is just the latest skirmish, and the battle to build Keystone is not over. Sen. Hoeven and I will continue to lead the broad coalition of businesses and labor leaders, civic organization and senators from both parties to build the Keystone pipeline and the energy infrastructure and create the jobs our country needs.”

View a timeline below of Sen. Landrieu’s efforts to build the Keystone pipeline.

2014

• May 1: Introduces binding bill with Sen. Hoeven to authorize the construction of the Keystone pipeline 
• April 10: Leads 11 Senators and send letter to President requesting he make a decision on the pipeline by May 31, 2014 
• March 13: Presses Sec. Kerry at hearing on how the pipeline is in the national interest 
• Feb. 6: Leads bipartisan group of senators, House members, business and labor groups to call for approval of Keystone XL pipeline
• Jan. 15: Meets with Canada’s foreign minster John Baird 

2013

• Nov. 12: Meets with Allison Redford, the Premier of Alberta, to discuss the importance of Keystone 
• Aug. 29: With Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., calls on President to approve the pipeline
• March 14: Cosponsors legislation to approve the pipeline 
• Feb. 26: Joins 20 bipartisan senators urging Sec. Kerry to approve the pipeline
• Jan. 23: Sends a letter with 53 bipartisan colleagues to the President urging the construction of the pipeline

2012

• Jan. 30: Sponsors legislation with Sen. Hoeven to approve the Keystone pipeline 
• Feb. 13: Leads discussion on Senate floor on importance to build pipeline 
• March 8: Votes in favor of amendment to approve the Keystone pipeline
• Nov. 16: Signs bipartisan letter calling on President to approve pipeline

2011

• March 16: Leads 14 bipartisan senators in sending a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, urging approval of the project