Republicans are turning the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline into an election year issue.

Tribes in the U.S., First Nations in Canada and environmentalists have been fighting the project for years. But it wasn't until last year that the GOP picked up on the issue and now even the presidential candidates are talking about it.

President Barack Obama is caught in the middle of the debate. He was forced to make a decision on the permit for TransCanada due to a rider that Republicans placed in a payroll tax bill.

“The American people are asking, Where are the jobs?” House Speaker John Boehner told The New York TImes, “and Republicans are going to fight for these jobs.”

Get the Story:
For G.O.P., Pipeline Is Central to Agenda (The New York Times 2/2)
Nelson says congressional 'meddling' delaying pipeline (The Lincoln Journal Star 2/2)

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Rosebud Sioux Tribe's letter to Sen. Thune on Keystone XL (1/24)
Obama blames GOP for rushed ruling on Keystone XL permit (1/19)
Obama expected to reject a permit for Keystone XL Pipeline (1/18)
Native Sun News: Native women meet to oppose Keystone XL (1/13)
Native Sun News: Rider forces Keystone XL Pipeline decision (01/06)