When Joe Biden used his executive order powers to completely revoke the permit for Keystone XL pipeline, Republicans were some of the most outspoken critics. Several Republican senators from states largely reliant upon oil and gas even asked to meet with the 46th president; Biden, however, turned down their request.
As time passes, Republicans aren’t the only ones articulating their issues with Biden’s shutdown of the pipeline’s construction permit. Some Democrats in Congress are now starting to speak out. During a Fox News interview earlier this week, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D) confirmed that he’s not in agreement with cancelling Keystone Pipeline.
Now, another Senate Democrat has come out, stating that the 46th president needs to reconsider his banishment of the Keystone XL pipeline permit. Townhall documents Montana Sen. Jon Tester’s remarks about the necessity of Keystone Pipeline.
Democrats for the Keystone Pipeline?
Earlier this week, Sen. Tester wrote a letter to the 46th president regarding the Keystone pipeline; in this letter, the Montana Democrat implores Biden to consider making “adjustments” to the pipeline, rather than banishing its permit altogether.
Democratic Sen. Jon Tester on the Keystone XL pipeline: "I believe in climate change, but I also think that this one pipeline isn't going to turn our climate around." pic.twitter.com/TwNJD9rZ1w
— The Hill (@thehill) February 2, 2021
Tester additionally notes that some benefits of Keystone XL pipeline include safer means of transporting fossil fuel, boosting tax revenue for communities, and maintaining thousands of jobs that pay well. The Montana senator then informs that finishing Keystone Pipeline would significantly boost his state’s economy.
Finally, the Democrat senator stated that the Keystone Pipeline can and should be allowed to continue operations with the caveat of “commonsense safeguards.”
Silence from the Oval Office
Biden, at this time, appears unwilling to hear out concerns about Keystone Pipeline’s shutdown. Multiple unions, many of whom endorsed Biden, have since spoken out against the permit’s cancellation, noting the means by which this executive order hurts them.
This morning, I met with a group of Democratic Senators to discuss the American Rescue Plan and how we emerge from the crises we face. One thing is clear: we all agree that now is the time for big, bold action to change the course of the pandemic and begin economic recovery. pic.twitter.com/jmDQB67Jbf
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 4, 2021
Meanwhile, the 46th president has not publicly responded to his own party members’ opposition against the Keystone XL pipeline permit cancellation. Sens. Manchin and Tester are both Democrats who have provided sound reasoning for keeping the pipeline active; Tester even listed out a series of means by which Biden can make certain alterations without putting thousands of Americans out of work.
Whether the 46th president addresses objections against his anti-pipeline executive order or not, this week has proven one thing: Republicans are not the only ones who recognize the importance of Keystone XL pipeline.
Are you surprised that multiple Democrats have come out against Biden’s decision to remove the permit allowing Keystone XL pipeline construction? Let us know in the comments section below.
