Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, (D-Wash.) ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, applauded President Obama’s veto of legislation that would have authorized construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

“I'm glad the president of the United States has vetoed this legislation that would have been a rubber stamp by Congress for a special interest,” Sen. Cantwell said. “This legislation would allow a circumvention of federal review processes and would allow a corporation not to have adhered to environmental and safety standards that are important for the American people.

“I hope my colleagues will not try to override this veto but instead focus on renewing energy tax credits that help employ hundreds of thousands of people in various industries -- anything from solar to wind to hybrid electric vehicles -- and get onto the other issues that are so important for us in talking about a 21st century energy strategy.”