WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Thune (R-S.D.), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), today marked the sixth anniversary of TransCanada’s original application for a presidential permit to build the Keystone XL pipeline across the U.S.-Canadian border.

(Click for video of Thursday’s press conference)

“This is a simple decision to improve trade with our closest ally that could – and should – have been made years ago,” said Murkowski, ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “The president needs to stop dragging his feet and allow folks to get to work. There is no dispute over whether this project is in the national interest. The energy security and economic benefits are clear, and years of environmental reviews have determined that the project will not adversely impact the environment.”

The senators also joined their Senate Republican colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama calling for the immediate approval of the Keystone XL pipeline:

“TransCanada first applied for a Presidential Permit on September 19, 2008.  Since then, the U.S. Department of State has reviewed hundreds of thousands of comments and completed five environmental impact statements, all of which have found the pipeline will have no significant impact on the environment.  In 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the State Department would make a decision on the pipeline by the end of that year.  You yourself told our conference in March of last year that you would make a decision before the end of 2013.  Mr. President, it is long past time to make a decision.

“The federal process is complete and has been complete for a long time.  The states should have the primary role of determining the proper legal and regulatory procedures for siting the pipeline within their respective borders.  The federal government should move forward with its determination.”

“After more than six years of study, five favorable environmental reviews, numerous polls showing the support of the American people, ISIS and the turmoil in the Middle East, it is way past time we take off the blinders and do what is in the best interest of the United States: approve the Keystone XL pipeline,” Sen. Hoeven said. “With our closest friend and ally Canada, we can produce more energy than we use, and achieve true North American energy independence. That’s why every Republican member of the U.S. Senate has joined in our letter calling for the president to approve the project.”

Senate Minority Leader McConnell today vowed to bring legislation approving the Keystone XL project to a vote on the Senate floor if he becomes majority leader next year. The U.S. House of Representatives approved similar legislation more than a year ago. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee also approved legislation greenlighting the Keystone XL project on June 18. Meanwhile, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Hoeven, S. 2280, has been pending on the Senate calendar waiting for current Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to bring it up for a floor vote since May 1.

“The United States supports the construction of pipelines all across the world, so there is simply no credible reason to continue to say ‘no’ to Canada,” Murkowski said. “There are too many reasons to construct the pipeline – jobs, economic activity, energy security, and increased trade with our closest ally – to allow it to continue to be held hostage.”

Murkowski and Hoeven on Tuesday also introduced the North American Energy Infrastructure Act in the Senate to prevent unnecessary delays of energy infrastructure projects like the Keystone XL pipeline.

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