Obama dismisses claimed benefits from Keystone XL Pipeline


Tribal activists staged a protest against the Keystone XL Pipeline during President Barack Obama's visit to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota in June. Photo from Aldo Seoane on Twitter

President Barack Obama said the Keystone XL Pipeline won't create as many jobs as supporters claim as the House prepares to vote today on a bill to approve the controversial project.

During his visit to Myanmar, Obama also said the pipeline won't lead to lower energy costs for Americans. At the same time, the White House stopped short of saying the president will veto the bill that Republicans are pushing.

“Understand what this project is: It is providing the ability of Canada to pump their oil, send it through our land, down to the Gulf, where it will be sold everywhere else. It doesn't have an impact on US gas prices,” Obama said today at a press conference, ABC News reported.

“If my Republican friends really want to focus on what's good for the American people in terms of job creation and lower energy costs, we should be engaging in a conversation about what are we doing to produce even more homegrown energy? I'm happy to have that conversation,” Obama added.

The House is expected to vote on H.R.5682. this afternoon. The Senate could take action sometime next week.

Get the Story:
Obama Doubles Down On Immigration, Keystone Pipeline (ABC News 11/14)
Obama won't budge on Keystone ahead of House vote (Fox News 11/14)
House prepped to pass bill approving Keystone XL pipeline (AP 11/14)

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