Peach Pundit - #GAGOP Members Of Congress Respond To Keystone Veto

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by Joash Thomas

With President Obama vetoing a bipartisan Congressional measure to authorize the construction of the Keystone XL pipe-line, Georgia's Republican members in both chambers of Congress wasted no time in responding to the President's decision.

While some members issued brief statements, others issued more detailed press releases. The following are excerpts from these statements / press releases:

Senator Johnny Isakson

Tens of thousands of jobs in America -- gone. Energy independence in America -- impeded. I hope the Senate will override this veto and send it back to him so he can rethink this terrible decision and approve Keystone XL pipeline once and for all.

Senator David Perdue

It's ridiculous that President Obama vetoed the Keystone Pipeline jobs bill. Georgians are sick and tired of petty politics and gridlock in Washington, and President Obama's veto is the epitome of both…Despite the President's veto, I am optimistic that Congress' bipartisan work on the Keystone jobs bill is a signal that lawmakers want to actually get things done. I can only hope that President Obama will let go of gridlock and join us in making Washington work again.

Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-1)

The President even had the audacity to say that the legislation "cuts short thorough consideration of issues that could bear on our national interest -- including our security, safety, and environment.' The project has been under consideration for more than six years! There is no question that it is vital to our national security and it's time for the President to admit it. This isn't the end of this fight and we won't stop here.

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (GA-3)

Once again, the President has chosen politics over the priorities of the American people.

Rep. Tom Price (GA-6)

President Obama had the opportunity today to not just talk about supporting American jobs but to actually do something about it while strengthening American energy security. He chose instead to put partisan political considerations above the interests of American workers.

Rep. Rob Woodall (GA-7)

By vetoing the Keystone XL pipeline authorization today, President Obama said "no" to the American people; as well as to the jobs, energy security, and reduction in daily living costs that the bill would provide. Republicans and Democrats alike came together and found a way to say "yes," but sadly the President chose not to join us.

Rep. Austin Scott (GA-8)

By sending the Keystone XL Pipeline legislation to the President's desk today, Congress gave the President an opportunity to work with both the House and the Senate on passing legislation for Americans. The President's veto of this legislation is a veto of jobs.

Rep. Doug Collins (GA-9)

Once again, the President plays politics with working class Americans. What a shame.

Rep. Jody Hice (GA-10)

Time after time, President Obama has ignored the will of the American people in order to appease liberal special interest groups. I am deeply disappointed, though not surprised, that the President chose to veto Keystone. This action is indicative of an administration that is so obviously out of touch with the heartbeat of our nation.

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11)

With one stroke of his veto pen, President Obama has blocked the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline -- a project that was expected to provide thousands of jobs for hardworking Americans. Inexplicably, he's using that very same pen to issue work permits for an additional five million illegal immigrants. Congress has followed through on its promise to create a favorable environment for job creation. Why won't the president live up to his own rhetoric and pass a bill that provides jobs for more Americans?

Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)

It's extremely disappointing that the President turned his back on the opportunity to approve a shovel-ready infrastructure project that will grow jobs, help lower energy prices for families and businesses and strengthen America's energy security..Reports by the President's own State Department have found that building the Keystone XL pipeline will create tens of thousands of jobs. Yet, the President chose to ignore these facts and instead look out for his own political interests by vetoing this commonsense jobs bill.

Rep. Tom Graves (GA-14)

The president's veto of 42,000 jobs is appalling. After five safety and environmental reviews by the president's own State Department, he decided to put partisan politics in front of all the families who would benefit from the good-paying jobs the Keystone XL pipeline would create. It is my hope that we can find another way to move this important jobs project forward.

The Keystone XL bill passed both chambers in bipartisan fashion, with a 62-36 vote in the Senate and a 270-152 vote in the House. In order to successfully override this veto, Congress will need a two-thirds majority (or a super majority) in both the Senate and the House, i.e., 67 out of 100 votes in the Senate and 290 out of 435 votes in the House.

This post has been updated due to an incorrectly attribution of the quotes of Reps. Loudermilk, Allen and Graves.

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