are contributing assistance ranging from air support training to humanitarian assistance. as i testified here, 16 nations have joined the military campaign against isil. the first air strikes involve coalition partners have carried out 130 air strikes against isil in iraq and syria. last week, canada launched its first air strikes in iraq bringing the total to 12 nations participate manage strike operations in iraq and syria, as additional partners provide tanker command and control and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. coalition nations have pledged hundreds of personnel to support

our mission to train, advice assist and help build the capacity of iraqi forces. our global coalition is also helping shape the burden of the campaign with nearly all of our coalition partners funding their own contributions. with the president's special envoy for our counter isil coalition, john allen, general allen is in the lead as we coordinating the coordination strategy across all lines of effort with our partners. as a coalition and as a nation, we must prepare for a long and difficult struggle. there will be setbacks, but we are seeing steady and sustainable progress. mr. chairman, that's an important part of answering the questions we have. the questions we have about our own strategy we ask ourselves, the questions you have about our strategy -- can we sustain it? can it be sustained after at some point we leave? that is a critical component of

our strategy. asking that question and answering that question. we're seeing steady and sustainable progress along dod's two main lines of effort. first, we're seeing progress in degrading and destroying isil's war-fighting capacity and in denying safe haven to fighters. through support of iraqi forces, coalition air strikes have hit isil's command and control, its leadership, revenue sources, supply lines and logistics, and impaired ability to mass forces. in recent weeks, these strikes helped peshmerga forces push out of northern iraq and and helped iraqi security forces begin retaking areas around the major oil refinery. last weekend, air strikes hit a gathering of isil battlefield commanders near mosul.

isil fighters have been forced to alter tactics. we knew they would. they'll adjust, maneuvering in smaller groups sometimes making it more difficult to identify targets, hiding large equipment, and changing communications methods. sustaining this pressure on isil will provide time and space for iraq to reconstitute its forces and continue going on the offense. this pressure is having an effect on potential isil recruits and collaborators, striking a blow to morale and recruitment. we know that. our intelligence is very clear on that. and as iraqi forces build strength, the tempo and intensity of our air campaign will accelerate in tandem. we need to continue to build parter capacity so local forces can take the fight to isil and ultimately defeat it. today many of the approximately

1400 u.s. troops in iraq are engaged in advise and assist programs with iraqi kurdish forces. as you know, last week the defense department announced we'll expand the support to iraqi forces by deploying up to a 1500 additional military personnel, including two new advise and assist centers locations beyond baghdad and irbil, as well as four new training centers in northern, western, and central iraq. i recommended this deployment to the president based on request to government of iraq, u.s. central command's assessment of iraqi units, general dempsey's recommendation, and the strength of the iraqi and coalition campaign. these additional troops and facilities will help strengthen and reconstitute iraqi forces, expanding the geography of our mission, but not the mission itself.

u.s. military personnel will not be engaged in a ground combat mission. our phased plan to help strengthen iraqi security forces has three major components. first, our advise and assist mission to provide the iraqi forces at the headquarters level. u.s. and coalitions advisors are already helping plan future operations. we'll expand this mission with two new assist and advice centers we have announced. second, we will support the rep regeneration of iraqi forces so they are better equipped to launch offensive operations over the coming year. centcom's new training sites in northern and central and western iraq will train 12 iraqi brigades, and more than a dozen coalition nations have expressed

intent to send trainers and advisors to build a capacity of iraqi forces. third, we will concentrate on broader security sector reform to help transform iraqi forces into a more coherent and capable unified force. this includes prime minister abadi's plan with the national guard units i mentioned earlier. coalition partners are playing a role in efforts by providing advisors and trainers to regenerate iraqi brigades. together we are also providing more arms and equipment to iraqi security forces. this year the united states alone has shipped more than $685 million in critical equipment and supplies to iraq, ranging from grenades and small

arms to tank ammunication and hellfire missiles, hundreds of which will be arriving this month. u.s. and coalition partners together have delivered million of pounds of supplies including ammunition to peshmerga forces. mr. chairman, in syria our actions against isil are focused on shaping dynamic in iraq which remains the priority of our counter isil strategy. but we are sober about the challenges we face as isil exploits the complicated long-running syrian conflict. because we do not have a partner government to work with in syria or regular military partners to work with as we do in iraq, in the near term, our military aims in syria are limited to isolating and destroying isil's safe havens. coalition air strikes in syria are accomplishing this by continuing to target significant

isil assets, which has impaired isil's ability to move fighters and equipment into iraq. disrupted their command and control, damaged their training bases, and significantly limited their financial revenue by hitting captured oil fields and disrupting their crude oil distribution and corruption -- collection sites. the longer term effort is to train and equip credible moderate syrian opposition forcesforce s especially areas most threatened by isil. this will require eight to 12 months to make a difference on the ground. we know the opposition will continue to face intense pressure in a multifront battle space, and we are considering options for how u.s. and coalition forces can further support these forces once they are trained and equipped. these forces are being trained in units, not as individuals.

our strategy in syria will demand time, patience, and perseverance to deliver results. we cannot accomplish our objectives in syria all at once. the position of the united states remains that assad has lost the legitimacy to govern. but there is no purely military solution to the conflict in syria. alongside our efforts to isolate and sanction the assad regime, our strategy is to strengthen the moderate opposition to the point where they can first defend and control their local areas. next, go on the offense and take back areas that have been lost to isil. and ultimately, as their capability and leverage develop, to create conditions for a political settlement in syria. thanks to the broad bipartisan support in congress,

mr. chairman, including majorities in both parties. preparations for our syria train and equip mission are now complete. we've established a combined joint interagency task force to equip the coalition program for syria. saudi arabia, turkey, and other partner nations have agreed to host training sites. development of those sites, recruiting, and vetting will begin when congress is -- has authorized the actual funding. we are still moving forward doing what we must do to prepare for that vetting process and that training. we're still at the front end of our campaign against isil. as president obama told leaders of both houses of congress last week during a session in which i attended with general austin, congressional support, your support is vital for the campaign to succeed. you all know the administration

is requesting $5.6 billion in additional overseas contingency operations funding for fiscal year 2015 to help execute our comprehensive strategy in iraq and syria. $5 billion for the department of defense. $3.4 billion would support ongoing u.s. military actions against isil under operation inherent resolve. $1.6 billion would go toward a new iraqi train and equip fund devoted to helping reconstitute iraq's security forces. this fund will be critical for enabling iraqi security forces, including kurdish and tribal forces, to go on the offense in 2015. and it will require the iraqi government and coalition members to make significant contributions as well. over 60% or $1 billion of the $1.6 billion fund would be available initially. the remaining $600 million would

not be released until the government of iraq and coalition partners have provided at least $600 million of their own contributions. because the iraqi government must invest in its own security and its own future. as the president said last week, the administration will be engaging the congress to support the effort against isil by enacting a new and specific authorization for the use of military force. one that reflects the scope and the challenges of our campaign against isil. dod will work closely with congress on each component of this effort. as this mission continues to progress, we will continue to evaluate and re-evaluate each element of our strategy. having just marked veteran's day earlier this week, let me again thank this committee for what you do every day to support all our men and women in uniform and their families serving this

country across the world. mr. chairman, thank you. >> general dempsey? >> thank you. i want to thank you for all you've done for the defense of our nation. your devotion to men and women of the joint force and importantly to their families will continue to resinate resonate throughout our ranks. i too appreciate the opportunity to appear before this committee this morning to discuss our strategy against isil. secretary hagel has detailed the elements and progress of our comprehensive approach against isil. broadly, our strategy is to reinforce a credible partner in the iraqi government and assist regional stakeholders to address the 20 million disenfranchised sunnis that live between damascus and baghdad.

they have to reject the isil ideology from within. we have the first strategy enabled by the coalition, but as i've said before, it's not iraq only strategy. it will evolve with the coalition and multiple lines of effort overtime. we need to squeeze isil from multiple directions, deny safe haven and disrupt activities in syria. we need to build up a syrian opposition to confront them. we need to take a long view. this requires the multiple lines of effort all have to move apace of each other. these lines of effort include counter financing, counter foreign tighter flow, counter messaging, humanitarian aid, economic progress, the air campaign, restoring an offensive capability to the iraqi security forces, and a ground campaign managed by the iraqi security forces with the isf from baghdad and the peshmerga from the north with contribution from the

tribes and in particular in the anbar and nineveh provinces. an ongoing dialogue with my coalition counter parts, there's a consensus across the coalition about our common vision and the objectives across those lines of effort. and there's a strong commitment to work together closely in this complex and long term undertaking. progress will be uneven at times, but with strategic patience, the trend lines favor the coalition over the long term. we are alert that the assumptions that underpin our campaign will be challenged. most notably, we don't know to what agreement the government of iraq will convince the kurds and sunnis that it intends to have a government of national unity,

one that gives confidence they have a future. we'll continue to revisit and review our assumptions as the campaign evolves and will adapt. which brings me to resources. our commitments across the globe, as you well know are up. resources are down. to add to that, sequesterization is months away. every day we don't have budget certainty, flexibility, and time means that we will continue to erode our readiness, and over time, i will have fewer military options to offer. the joint chiefs and i appreciate your support to help us work through not only our national security challenges, but also the resources and flexibility necessary to meet them. thank you. >> thank you, general dempsey. in september, you testified to our colleagues in the senate if we reach the point i believe our advisors should accompany iraqi troops on attacks against targets i'll recommend that to

the president. however, during a recent interview on "front line," deputy national security advisor ben rhodes announced the president will not reconsider his boots on the ground limitation regardless of any recommendation you might provide. furthermore, the president seems to equate boots on the ground to a 150,000-person u.s. invasion force. i haven't heard anyone talk about sending in divisions. so please help us understand the circumstances where you would envision the need to introduce u.s. military troops into combat situations and the size and types of forces or -- >>gnition? >> mr. speaker, by the direction of the committee on rules, i call up house resolution 748 and ask for its immediate consideration. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the resolution.

the clerk: house calendar number 145, house resolution 748 resm solved that upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the house the bill h.r. 5682, to approve the keystone x.l. pipeline. all points of order against consideration of the bill are waive the bill shall be considered as read. all points of order against provisions in the bill are waive the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except, one, one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the committee on transportation and infrastructure and the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on energy and commerce, and two, one motion to recommit. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas, mr. sessions is recognized for one hour. mr. sessions: thank you very much, mr. speaker. for the purpose of debate only, i yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from colorado, mr. polis, my friend, pending

which i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for such time heas wishes to use. mr. sessions: in consideration of this resolution all time yielded is for purposes of debate only. i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. sessions: for the past six years, president obama, secretary of state hillary clinton, secretary of state kerry and senate democrats have made sure the american people would continue to wait for the keystone pipeline. keystone pipeline provides jobs, energy security, and perhaps most of all, a closer and better relationship with our friends from canada. mr. speaker, quite honestly, the bottom line is, we need to do business with our friends in canada rather than friends other places around the world who may be using that money that they receive for reasons that are not in america's best interest.

we trust the canadians and today we have a bill on the floor because we believe that house republicans being led by dr. bill cassidy can lead taos a way to construct the keystone pipeline, provide us with a closer relationship with canada, and to make sure that the transcanada application to construct the keystone x.l. pipeline will be done that is why we are here on the floor of the house of representatives today. with that said, i rise in support of not only this rule that will provide the context for the bill, but also the underlying legislation. let me be perfectly clear today. this bill to approve the keystone pipeline is a jobs bill. over the last year -- last few years, too many americans have been out of work. not always in the right places where jobs were available, but

too many americans are out of work and this is an area where people are out of work and need the work and can get it. wages have been stagnant and median incomes for american families have fallen because this administration and the policies of the democratic party have led to a stagnation of the free enterprise system and an opportunity in particular in the area of energy has been a political issue rather than a jobs issue for the american people. the keystone pipeline would support tens of thousands of great paying jobs and to help resolve some problems in this area and across a multistate area of the west. yet, president obama, secretary hillary clinton and senate democrats have stood constantly and consistently in the way of job creating, shovel-ready

projects. for six years we have known that the impact of the keystone pipeline would be positive on the american economy with positive benefits that it would provide for the american people. for six years we have known that the pipeline would add over $1 illion of revenue to a tepid economy. a billion dollars in places where people are also out of work, need work, and it can be done through efficiency and effectiveness of this pipeline. americans have been looking for leadership to secure energy independence, energy independence to where we no longer have to go across the oceans to receive the energy that we need. with this pipeline, it's an important step, i believe, in the right direction. when completed, the keystone pipeline will transport over

800,000 barrels of oil every single day. that is equivalent to half of our daily oil imports from the middle east. mr. speaker, that's competition to the current system. that's how you get prices lower at the gas pump, by having competition. competition to the middle east for the oil that we will use in this country. this will further help lower energy costs for american families while helping to bolster our national security by weaning us off oil from nations that sometimes do not have our best interests in their own mind. instead of partnering with countries in the middle east, the keystone pipeline lets us work together with our dear friends from canada. by approving the keystone pipeline, the federal government will rea deuce our dependency over -- reduce our dependency

overnight while reating much-needed jobs and will provide billions of dollars in economic opportunity in the u.s.a. we all know that keystone can accomplish what the american people want, and that is that we need to work together also. mr. speaker, we need to work together and finally, what's happened is, is that the senate democrats are asking for this bill. regardless of the reason, regardless of the reason, what we're doing here today is to work together on ideas that we've been trying to push for a long, long time. in september of 2008, transcanada submitted their application to the department of state to construct the keystone pipeline. yet the obama administration has blocked and delayed construction of the pipeline at every single turn. excuse after excuse after excuse , rather than getting it done.

the state department, led by secretary hillary clinton and secretary kerry has stood firmly in the way of jobs created by this project. they have held dozens of meetings and issued study after study, each confirm what republicans have said all along, and that is the pipeline will create jobs and inject billions of dollars into the american economy while doing so in a safe and limited environmental impact way. beginning in 2011, with republicans, as soon as they won this body and became the majority, we started passing laws to jump start the pipeline. time after time i've been on the floor of this body and mr. speaker, you have stood faithfully in your chair to listen to the debates. it is you, mr. speaker, who has been behind this idea to make sure that we would keep it as a part of our objective, an objective for the american

people, opportunities for the american people, and a friendship with the canadians. sadly, senate democrats have refused to allow even a vote. yet just yesterday, the keystone pipeline suddenly became a hot topic on the senate floor. a hot topic because they want to get it done now. well, so what's changed? last week after six long years, members of the senate finally decided to thereon the american people. the house has been listening and acting for four years now. but now that the senate is prepared to join us, we are here to work together. the house is prepared to pass this bill from dr. bill cassidy, oh, yes, from an energy state called louisiana. a dear friend of not only this body but a dear friend of consumers and families who understand that we need to reduce even further costs at the gas pump. that we need to be concerned about where we buy our oil and

our energy and to make sure that we're doing business with the friends and people we know. so. they can pass it and they can send it to the president's desk. we're going to send the same bill. the same bill they're doing in the senate, same one we're going to do here. we're going to get it to the president no more delays. in more excuses. it's actually time to make the keystone pipeline a reality. said another way, the election is over. let's get our work done. i'm proud that the house has led on this issue. i look forward to the senate joining us. i hope the president will do the same thing. i hope he'll sign another jobs bill that's been passed by the house of representatives. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas reserves his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek reck nillings? mr. polis: -- seek recognition? mr. polis: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. polis: i thank the gentleman from texas for yielding me the customary 30 minutes. i rise in opposition to the rule and the underlying bill.

the keystone x.l. pipeline approval act. last night we got a notice that the rules committee was going to have an emergency hearing to expedite very important legislation. mr. speaker, i was very excited. i thought we were going to deal with an energy, perhaps it was ebola, perhaps it was dealing with the use of force overseas, or emergencies here at home, like the thousands of families that are separated because of our broken immigration law or the emergency of balancing our budget before we leave the next generation with a burden of debt. i was really hopeful that the majority was ready to take on a pressing issue facing the country. sadly, i was too optimistic. i found out that the bill that was such an emergency, that was expeditiously brought before the rule committees and now the floor, is actually a bill that we've already voted on this congress to bypass the administration's review policy

and streamline the construction of the keystone x.l. pipeline. it turned out last night's rules committee meeting was far from an emergency. the majority should not have waived clause 11 of rule 21 that normally requires three tais to review legislation -- three days to review legislation before we vote on it. to be clear, we have not had three days to read this bill. one can argue since we've pretty much passed the darn thing before and it hasn't changed much, maybe we didn't need the full three days but why are we doing another bill? this has happened far too often in this house, in this 113th congress. i hope we're not setting the tone for the 114th where great representatives, democratic and republican, come from all parts of the country to tackle the issues facing our great nation, balancing the budget and fixing our broken immigration system and getting our economy moving and yet we vote on the same bill, in the case of repealing the affordable care act, 53

times in the 113th congress. one time, understand, the house wants to do it. that's what the people were elected to do, if they believe that and that's what the majority says, then do it. but what are the other 52 times besides a waste of taxpayer money? the keystone x.l. pipeline approval act is nothing new. again, it bypasses a pend regular view process and would immediately authorize the transcanada keystone pipeline company to build an 875-mile pipeline from canada through the united states to the gulf of mexico for the exportation of oil this bill would expedite a tar sands project without requiring a federal administrative review process, saying those are automatically concluded and are sufficient. i asked chairman whitfield yesterday in rules committee what their discussion with the administration was on this? when did they last have testimony, formal or informal from the administration?

where is the administration in this approval process. he informed me there had been no updates from the administration for six months. for all we know the president might be read dwroy approve or not approve this project tomorrow, next week, next month, i don't know, but it seems like the two branches of government aren't talking to one another. we would hold hearings and ask the relevant questions, what are the current stickling points, are there issues that are still pending rather than bypass any legitimate issues that might still be around the routing, as many of you know, the routing has already been hanged so as not to impact the aquifer and there could be things that impact the residents of the state through which the keystone pipeline would pass. clearly this project is of great favor to our friendly neighbors to the north, the great nation of canada. the question that we need to

figure out as a country is, does it benefit america and americans? there are pros and cons. obviously if it goes in your neighborhood it's not a particular benefit to you or through your farm and that was some of the issues that we heard from in the impact statements that are currently being reviewed by the administration. there is a review process under way. we all wish that review process went faster. we all wish that nepa would go faster and we all wish that a wide variety of policies would go faster but we don't know how that's going to be concluded. i think it's important while they get through it as soon as possible they're able to do so and take all factors into account. if congress wants to change the approval process for these kinds of projects, i think that's a legitimate discussion to have. if congress determines the need to reconfigure a review process for a project like this, maybe we go into the statute and we alter the different agencies or reassign different responsibility or criteria, that would be a relevant discussion to have. not bypassing something that

congress set up in statute. the president's doing what congress told them to do in reviewing this process. not this congress but the underlying statute when it was passed. now, of course, there's a lot of issues around keystone x.l. rather than interrupting the state department's review of the process, congress should allow to make sure all of the relevant issues are properly addressed around this issue. i want to emphasize that the republicans brought this tar sands bill forward just one day after china and the u.s. came to a landmark agreement to address climate change. tar sands are a high polluting fuel that on a life cycle basis, tar sands crude produces 20% carbon pollution than conventional crudes. in addition, we have a study from cornell university with regard to the effect of the x.l. pipeline on gasoline for american citizens. and top energy economists in this cornell study said if the x.l. pipeline is built,

consumers in our country may end up paying 10 cents to 20 cents per gallon for gas as a result of tar sands by diverted. that's millions of dollars a year out of the pockets of americans. perhaps into the pockets of wherever this oil is going. again, what benefit to america is this project? there's also the simple matter of how a bill becomes a law. ok. so we have house bill, a senate bill. let's take a wild presumption, maybe both chambers will pass this bill. what happens next? it goes to the president. the president can sign a bill or veto a bill. essentially the president can sign a bill approving the keystone pipeline which is something he can do now without this bill. he can approve the pipeline and if congress goes through all the deliberative effort and taxpayer expense and talk and vote, the president still has a decision. again, obviously, if there's

2/3 in both chambers, congress can seize power on a particular issue and exert its own will. i don't expect it to be the case on this one. 's just an exercise in senseless hot air being thrown around the chamber where we can pass bills and the same situation prevails if it passes or not. namely, the president can decide whether they want this to go forward or not. if congress wants to alter that approval process, let's look at the statutory rules around how projects are reviewed for future projects and see if we can reach a bipartisan consensus about that. i wish that this had been an emergency piece of legislation. i wish that we were tackling a potential public health crisis. i wish that we were tackling terrorism. i wish we were tackling balancing the budget. i wish we were tackling securing our borders, but we're not. we're not. we're tackling something that isn't going anywhere and even

if passed will give the president the same choice that he has today. much to do about nothing. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from colorado reserves his time. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. sessions: mr. speaker, thank you very much. just so we really are a little bit clearer, the president indicated last week what he might do on this compact i shall -- exact issue of keystone pipeline. he said he would consider signing the bill if it creates jobs. mr. president, the study from your own state department said construction on keystone would create over 42,000 jobs. so there's one answer to our president. another one the president said he would consider signing the bill if it was good for the american people, good for their pocketbooks if it reduces gas prices. that's what the president said. once again, i have good news, good news. keystone pipeline will move up

oil a day barrels of through an efficient process instead of coming from halfway around the world which adds cost to the transportation. it will come through a pipeline, be here real efficiently. i think we're in good stead there to meet the test for the president. mr. speaker, at this time i'd like to let you know i have five or six speakers who are here who are excited about this opportunity for jobs, jobs bill that's on the floor today and the creation of legislation to have the x.l. pipeline. i'd like to extend two minutes to the gentleman from raleigh, north carolina, congressman holding. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from north carolina is recognized for two minutes. mr. holding: i thank the gentleman. mr. speaker, i rise today in support of american jobs and increased in efficient energy production. for too long, approval of the keystone pipeline has been delayed. delaying thousands of new jobs,

42,000 new jobs and our struggling economy of much needed boost. mr. speaker, the majority of americans, both democrat and republican alike, support building the keystone pipeline. why? because it's common sense. but for six years it has been delayed. keystone pipeline will create jobs, grow our economy and help our nation provide a secure source of energy that does not have to come from halfway around the world. mr. speaker, i'm focused on building a stronger economy for american families and job creation is a top priority to accomplish that. approve the keystone pipeline advances all of these goals. i urge my colleagues in the strongest terms to support this rule and support the underlying bill. thank you. i yield back to the gentleman. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back his time. the gentleman from texas reserves his time, and the gentleman from colorado is recognized. mr. polis: thank you, mr. speaker.

i'd like to yield three minutes to the gentleman from tennessee, mr. cohen. mr. cohen: thank you, mr. polis. i appreciate the time. thank you, mr. speaker. i rise today in opposition to the passage of the rule and h.r. 5682, the bill -- underlying bill. you first have to consider the opinion of the world's undisputed foremost climatologist. dr. james hanson, the guru on this subject. betty crocker, good housekeeping seal. one of the first scientists to warn of the dangers of burning carbon fuel. dr. hanson is the member of the national academy of sciences d he likes the keystone x.l. pipeline to the tuesday of the biggest carbon bomb on the planet and nothing less. the fuse to the biggest carbon

bomb on the planet. that's dr. hanson. dr. hanson's warn the completion of this pipeline will only reinforce our dependence on fossil fuels, not strengthen our nation's energy independence, as has been argued by some of our friends on the other side. when you brush aside the studies funded by transcanada and other oil companies and you analyze the pure scientific studies that have no political motivation, every analysis clearly demonstrates the keystone x.l. pipeline poses major threats at every turn in extraction, in transportation, in refining and in consumption. nationwide, about 3.2 million gallons of oil spill from pipelines every year. spills such as those pollute drinking water, ruin american farmland, potentially destroy sacred tribal lands and become inhabitable for homeowners. in kalamazoo, michigan, there was a spill in 2010 of tar

$1.2 billion and years and years and years to clean up. that's where the permanent jobs are going to be created in cleaning up the spillage, and that's not the kind of jobs the merican people want. building a pipeline carries the dirtiest oil from canada to the gulf of mexico. and it's exactly the opposite of addressing climate change, which is what we should be doing today. and most of this oil will not go to america but will go through america, endangering our mid america and be exported overseas. there are no export restrictions on nondomestic crudes. h.r. 5682 is a special interest earmark that will make the u.s. a permanent conduit to international markets for one of the dirtiest fuel sources on the planet. my colleague and friend says we'll be helping our friend. yes, canada's our friend.

we play hockey with them, basketball, whatever. but this oil's going to go to our own friend, china. this is about canada shipping oil through america, endangering american lands to supply the chinese with oil. the keystone x.l. proponents like to talk about these jobs which it will create but the vast majority is temporary. the permanent jobs measure 35. the permanent jobs will really be cleanup. may i have an extra 30 seconds? the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. mr. polis: i yield an additional 45 seconds to the gentleman. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from tennessee is are ecked for 45 -- is recognized for 45 seconds. mr. cohen: as mentioned by mr. polis, these jobs are important if they're in transportation infrastructure. that creates real jobs in this country, getting goods to market. and my friends on the other side have resisted transportation infrastructure jobs. clean energy is permanent jobs. wind and solar is permanent jobs. the only permanent jobs are the

cleanups. when the u.s. and china have come together in historic agreement, this is not the time to light the fuse to the biggest carbon bomb on the planet. for these and other reasons, i urge my colleagues to vote no. we need to center greener domestic energy production. thank you and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from colorado reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. sessions: mr. speaker, i think we're seeing the same here see take place on the -- here'sy take place on the floor. it's jobs american people understand and let's keep this thing right in the center of the table. it's about jobs. it's about energy independence. it's about working relationship with our friends. it's about lessening our dependence upon giving people in other countries and foreign lands our country that they don't always use in our best interest. it's about national security. the about a lot of things that make common sense. what makes common sense is not

to scare people but give the facts of the case. mr. speaker, at this time i'd like to recognize the gentleman from north dakota. he served as the -- on the commission up in north dakota before he came to congress. he's a great young man. the gentleman, kevin cramer, five minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from north dakota is recognized for five minutes. mr. cramer: thank you, mr. speaker. i thank the chairman for yielding. it seems it should be so unnecessary to have something that makes so much common sense become so historic, and yet here we find ourselves at an historic moment. after years of debate and accommodation, the most environmentally studied and accommodated pipeline in the history of the world has been stranded on the president's desk, held hostage by hollywood advisors and liberals, donors

to politicians who don't understand the issue or don't care. but as signals of a possible vote in the united states senate are being transmitted, the american people ought to find comfort in the fact that politics works, that when the american people speak even the united states senate listens. so i'm grateful that congressman cassidy has brought this bill to the people's house, a bill that originated with my senator, senator hoeven, in the senate, so we can tee it up this week so next week they can do what they should have done a long time ago and pass this bill. you know, i'm -- i'm big part of the keystone pipeline. when i was on that public service commission in north dakota years ago, i carried the pipeline portfolio. i happened to oversee the citing of the original keystone pipeline that goes through north dakota and goes down to cushing, oklahoma. crosses the border. crosses eight counties in my state. 600 landowners' land.

farmers. farmers that know how to work the land know the value of the topsoil, understand the value of the minerals underneath it. two scenic rivers, five pumping stations, 217 miles through my state. and i'm proud to say that while not universally loved, not one inch of that pipeline through north dakota required condemnation proceedings. not because i'm a great regulator but because north dakotans understand the value, the value of domestic energy, the value it has to job creation. i want to talk about jobs in a little bit. as vast reserves are oil are -- of oil are sovered, energy independence is possible in this decade. the amount of oil that would flow to refiners with the keystone x.l. represents 30% of what we import today from the persian gulf alone. the fact of the matter is that

today, over 1% of the shell crude that is produced in north dakota is shipped by rail. i have nothing against trains, i thank fwod we have a robust rail system. but railing oil costs more. it's a little more dangerous. it's not as efficient as pipelines. it also requires trucks to get the oil to the rail facilities. again, trucks are good. they're not bad at all but they just aren't as safe or as efficient as pipelines. and they take a toll on our highway infrastructure. according to, in fact, to the director of the north dakota department of mineral resources, approval of the keystone x.l. will cause two things to happen and listen carefully. 300 to 500 truckloads per day will be taken off north dakota highways and there will be 10 fewer trains every week livering state. 10 trains that could be carrying food to a hungry world. he calculates that greenhouse gas emissions from rail are 1.8

times that of trucks and 2.-- or times that of a pipeline and 2.9 times a pipeline and spills from truck os cur at three to four times the rate of spills from pipelines. yes, sometimes accidents happen but they happen far more frequently with trucks. approval of the x.l. will result n 450,000 to 950,000 kilograms per day less greenhouse gas emissions in north dakota alone as well as significant decreases in dust and 60 to 80 fewer spills per year. america's national security, mr. speaker, and america's economic security are tied directly to america's energy security. we can do a lot better and we need to. now, the environmental safeguards in the chistone pipeline, i said it's the most studied pipeline in the history of the world, they're rigorous, they're appropriate, they've been tested and they work.

i can attest to that. i toured the keystone during construction. i met many of the men and women who worked on the line. those, mr. speaker are real jobs. those pipe layers are real workers doing real jobs. they're restaurant owners, hotel owners, sub connecticutors, those are real jobs and shea thowled -- they should not be diminished by considering them something other than real jobs. we have the lowest work forest participation rate since 1978 in this country, let's put people back to work system of mr. speaker, i am very pleased today to stand here, support this rule, and ask my colleagues to do the same, support final passage, put people back to work, make america more energy secure and to keep price lose for the american consumer. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time is expired. the gentleman from texas reserves. the gentleman from colorado. mr. polis: i yield myself such time as i may consume.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. polis: again, i was excited that perhaps the rule committees would consider emergency legislation with public health, ebola, or a deficit of half a trillion dollars -- i'd call that an emergency. instead, here we're dealing with a bill, something that congress already passed that even if they pass again would make the decisionmaker exactly the same decisionmaker we have today, the president of the united states, rather than considering the keystone pipeline bill, and if we weren't going to deal with one of the real emergencies, why not at least bring up bills that create new green energy jobs? and -- jobs in our innovation and energy sector like the bipartisan renewable resources act i offer aid long with representatives gosar and heck. it would procree ate jobs while protecting public health and environmental resources. it would provide the framework far competitive leasing system

for wind and energy, solar energy, on public land. it would help move our nation forward with clean energy development while providing funding for states and localities. how about that? what about some of the great public lands that have characteristics for solar and wind? that would be a great bipartisan bill to bring up here today. another example of a bill we could consider today that would create jobs and move to renewable energy future is a renewable electricity standard act, h.r. 3654. which i co-introduced in order to boost renewable energy markets across the country. the bill would make sthire utilities yen rate 20% of their renewable -- fuel from renewable energies by 2025, goals that my great state of colorado already has a 30% renewable energy standard. this legislation would build on the success of over 30 state-based renewable energy standards, including the standard in the great state of colorado dibicreating a true

national market for renewable energy. would create jobs, save consumers money on utility bills, hetch keep gas cheap at the pump prorkvide billions in local tax revenues for small pollution. cutting that sounds better than debating a bill that even if passed will leave the project in the same situation it was before the bill is discussed. instead the republicans are moving forward ton a bill that clings on to the big oil interests and does nothing to make energy more affordable for american consumers. does nothing to move forward to a clean energy future. and does nothing at all because even if it passes it has to go to the president to sign who is currently the person reviewing the applications as we speak. the emergency rules meeting and closed rule today that doesn't

allow me to bring forward the public lands renewable energy act, doesn't allow me to bring forward the renewable electricity standard act as an amendment. in fact, the closed rule today ensures that no member, republican or democrat, of this great body, can offer an amendment to improve this bill. i strongly urge my colleagues to set the tone for the next congress by rejecting this rule and the underlying bill. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from colorado reserves his time. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. sessions: mr. speaker, thank you very much and i thank the gentleman from colorado. i'll tell you, we are trying to keep the stage set that we're in the republican majority, leading for jobs, for america. we're leading to help gas at the pump be lesser than what it has been. doubled under president obama's watch. because they have not done the things that would allow more

energy to be gotten. sure it's being gotten now on private lands but federal lands, we need to do the same. once again, same old worn out rhetoric, stand in the way of jobs in this country. that's where the republicans are now here on the floor again today, i hope we -- our last bill is about jobs too as we leave during the year. mr. speaker, during this time, i'd like to yield five minutes to the gentleman from gainesville, georgia, the gentleman from judiciary committee, congressman collins. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from georgia is recognized for five minutes. mr. collins: thank you, mr. speaker. i thank the chairman of the rules committee. i rise in strong support of this rule and the underlying legislation h.r. 5682, to authorize the construction of the keystone pipeline. it's not every day i come back and we've been gone for a while from debating while we've been out campaigning and listening to the american people and the american people spoke rather laudly -- loudly last week. it's good to come back and begin

to put into practice what they said. in fact, it is amazing to me how debates that went on so far here in coming to the floor, in fact, from people that normally we never disagree on, i'm bringing to the floor a bipartisan -- little bit of bipartisan shitch here. i know that some could think of no better argument for the pipeline, there's no better one i've heard than one i read in the pain today from a distinguished colleague in the other chamber just across the way who does not share a republican point of view. he made these words he, said, in regards to the keystone pipeline, yet, it would be a -- quote, it would be a tremendous wind fall for all of us. it's something we can count on. i can't for the life of me understand why we haven't to date been able to move this piece of legislation forward. good grief, neither to i. in fact, fiffs to spend the rest of my five minutes just trying to understand why the senate can't move bills, we'd be here all night, mr. speaker. the gentleman from the other

side of the body, the senate, summed it up clearly. he said, i don't understand why we can't move stuff. what i've also missed, mr. speaker, coming back to the floor of the house, is things i've never heard before, at least not in north georgia where i'm from when we talk about jobs. i've heard it talked about here on the floor of the house saying this was a waste of taxpayer money, to bring bills like this up, it's a waste of taxpayer money. it's a waste of -- what's a waste of taxpayer money is the house republican -- house republicans passing jobs bills for americans, regardless of their party, jobs for them, and having them sit in a senate that never woke up. that's a waste of taxpayer money. where do i go to get my money back from that side of the aisle? another thing that's amazing to me today, i heard something, beyond a -- and you may have to help me with this, it was just said on the floor of the house that this bill was a special interest earmark. i have never heard jobs

described as a special interest earmark are you telling me that the congress in looking to give people jobs is a special interest earmark? i think that's exactly what we're supposed to be doing. are you kidding? this is exactly what the election was about just a couple of days ago. it was exactly what the american people spoke of. it's exactly what they're tired of government standing in the way of jobs. an emergency legislation, emergency rule, another term i've just heard on the house floor just in the a few minutes. coming to the floor with an emergency rule we're going to do something special. undoubtedly they've never met somebody without having a job. i've been without a job. if you would tell me i could get a job when i tnt have a job, it's emergency legislation, i'm looking for a job, millions of families looking for jobs, special interests it is not, it is the work of this body. and to say it it's a waste of time. have we lost that much of our vision of what the american people sent us here to do?

are there things we could bring up? i appreciate my friend from colorado, are there multitude of bills we could bring up, yes. but as my parents once told me theark said, doug, that is the supper you're getting tonight you eat it or go to bed hungry. the bill we have before us is a jobs bill. puts millions of people in the jobs and economy back together again in a way that help ours economy and helps the world but yet all we're worried about is what could be. what could be is not good enough for somebody who can't pay their house payment. who can't find enough to work. who can't send their kids to school. if you are watching if you want to think about this right now, there's a clear difference and the clear difference is that the republicans have listened to the folks at the ball fields have listened to the folks at the churches and synagogues, listened to folks at the restaurant, have heard, i need a job, i want to work together for good jobs, and we'll get to better jobs. but what's before us right now, mr. speaker is this bill. s the bill that's before us.

and -- this is the bill that's before us. and there's bipartisan support for this we can claim what's not in it, we can claim what it is, but i will never, ever want to come to this podium and say that a jobs bill is an earmark that a jobs bill is something we shouldn't be taking up, or it's a waste of time. because when we say bills like this this are a waste of time, we might as well say to those on the unemployment line, you're a waste of time this republican will never do that because the american people expect better from us. and that's why this rule needs to pass, that's why this bill needs to pass, that's why this republican majority will do what it's sent here to do, govern. with that, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from texas reserves. the gentleman from colorado is reneek -- is recognized. mr. polis: the other side is arguing that passing this bill would lead to this pipeline being built. that simply isn't the case. the current review process, the decision lies with the president and the secretary of state, if

this bill in identical form were to pass both chamber the president of the united states will have a choice. approve it or not approve it. the same choice he has now. so in no way would this republican bill that we're considering here today make a decision for the president. the president is elected by the people of the country. congress itself gave the president the authority to review this bill. it only becomes law if he chooses to sign it. . if the president were to approve the keystone project, it wouldn't even be by signing this bill. he would probably approve it without waiving those laws or different areas or perhaps there are different issues that this body doesn't know about because

the president hasn't been consulted in six months. so, again, as a member of this body who is not on the committee of jurisdiction. i can't say i have been briefed by the administration. apparently mr. whitfield hasn't either. are there additional areas that have to be rerouted or precautions, because of the high temperature of the tar sands. approving this keystone pipeline, which this bill again would not do, it would go to the president who could choose whether he wants it to move forward or not, but it would simply benefit foreign oil interests. and the real issue is where are the benefits for the american people. the health and safety of the american people, the integrity of agricultural-based economies in the areas that would be affected. does congress want to give

special exemptions or benefits or be held to the same standard as other important energy projects. we need to help america grow renewable energy to wean ourselves off on our reliance on fossil fuels. if congress wants to weigh in on how energy projects should be approved, let's do it. but you don't do it by presenting a bill to the president that gives him the exact same options he has today. doesn't move the ball down the road one way or the other. hopefully the process is nearing its completion and whether that's a week or a month, six months, i don't know. and apparently the committee doesn't know. but i do trust that they're taking the factors that congress wrote into law into consideration. and hopefully will come to the conclusion one way or the other regardless of whether this bill is passed or not.

i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from colorado reserves. the gentleman from texas, mr. sessions. mr. sessions: i would like to yield five minutes to the the gentleman from texas, former chairman of energy and commerce committee who knows as much as anybody in congress not just about energy and jobs but as former chairman of the committee he led this fight for many years, the gentleman, mr. barton. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas for five minutes. mr. barton: i would ask unanimous consent to revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. barton: first of all, let's try to define what this bill actually does. we had a lot of rhetoric on the house floor the last 30 minutes. it's a pretty simple bill. it removes the president from the decision-making authority. he can sign the bill and it would become law. he cannot sign it after so many days and it can become law and

he can veto it. he doesn't have to make the decision to build the pipeline or not. it takes the president out of the decision-making loop except for the fact that he has the option as the president of the united states to sign the bill into law, veto it or let it become law without his signature. secondly, it says that if the bill does become law, the environmental groups still want to contest it, you get expedited judicial review, so we immediately get a decision. that's what the bill does. simple bill. a lot of the keystone pipeline has already been built. from some of the rhetoric on the floor, you would think that it had haven't even been started yet. the reason the state department and the president are even in the loop is because it's an international pipeline. having said that, the

international part of it has been built. the connection between canada and the united states has been built and is operational. the part that's in question is within the interior of the united states of america. if you were building a pipeline that wasn't connected to the keystone pipeline as it exists, you wouldn't have to have the state department review it and you wouldn't have to have the president make a decision. but because it is a continuation or in addition to an existing international pipeline, state department has to make a decision and in this case, the president, right now has to make a decision. it's an 800,000-barrel a day pipeline if we make it operational. that brings oil from canada into the united states where it can go to any number of domestic refineries or it could actually as has been said, it could be exported potentially. but in all probability, will get

a better market price in the united states and they would prefer to sell it here. but the market would make that decision, mr. speaker. so if at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again. the house leadership, on a bipartisan basis, is going to send another bill on the keystone pipeline to the other body. my understanding is that they're going to vote on it next week. if it passes the house tomorrow. and we'll send it to the president. this would be a great thanksgiving present for the american people, as has been pointed out. more job creation, more options for domestic refineries, potentially lower gasoline prices than they even are today, for motorists and consumers. there is a win, win, win.

there is no group in america that opposes it. republicans support it, democrats support it. labor unions support it. the only group is the radical environmentalists that make up 2% or 3% of the population. i just don't understand it. so i want to thank the committee of jurisdiction for bringing the bill to the floor, for the rules committee for reporting out the rule. i urge a strong yes vote on the rule. and tomorrow, i urge a strong yes vote on the bill. with that, mr. chairman, i would yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from texas reserves. the gentleman from colorado. mr. polis: i would like to inquire of the the gentleman from texas how many remaining speakers he has? mr. sessions: i'm almost out of time. so i have no additional speakers. mr. polis: i'm prepared to close as well and i would yield myself he balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from colorado is recognized for the balance of .he time for 12 1/4 mr. polis: we have congress trying to interfere with a review process that has already resulted in the rerouting of the proposed pipeline to ensure that the integrity of the al qaeda which ferris preserved and -- a qunch uifer is preserved. and instead of hearing what those issues are or talking to the administration what pending issues remain or standing in the way of approval, congress is seeking to shortcut that process, exempt the xl pipeline from the national environmental policy act and thening dangersed species act ordering it to be built, regardless of legitimate

issues that should be weighed. when my colleague says it is 2% of the american people that oppose it, that's not the discussion we're having today. not who supports it or opposes it, the studies need to be done to make sure that the routing doesn't jeopardize the economy. those are the issues that have resulted in several changes of the plan and could result in additional changes to the plan of where and how the pipeline to be built. for congress to say, we are just tired of dealing with the technical issues and we just want it done, puts america's lives at risk and america's health at risk. we all wish that this process could have been completed six months ago, three months ago. we hope it's completed a month from now, six months from now. but giving the president the same choice he has today by

passing this bill doesn't move the process forward. we should be taking advantage of our last few precious weeks before the end of the year to address some of the important pieces of legislation that the senate has sent over, that mehow, while we are debating repealing the affordable care act for 53 times and the keystone pipeline again and again, this body hasn't allowed votes like the bipartisan immigration reform package that received more than 2/3 support in the united states senate. there's a companion bill that's bipartisan that's been introduced in the house. there is a discharge petition at the desk for members to sign to demand a simple up-or-down vote, secure our borders, reduce our budget deficit by over $200 billion. and there's a discussion of jobs

with the keystone project. well, let me tell you, this bill on immigration reform that if body allows a vote on, would create over 250,000 jobs for american citizens. how about the employment nondiscrimination act? the senate has acted on a bill that would prevent an employer from firing somebody just because they're gay or lesbian. shouldn't be any of your boss' business who you date or who you love after work. the senate passed that. more than three-quarters of the american people support it. we filed a discharge petition on that bill. we would love to be acting on that bill here today instead of yet again, shortcutting the process with regard to an oil project. this congress has been a frustrating congress. and unfortunately here in our

final weeks, i hope we're not setting the tone for an gin equally and inefficient 114th congress. the american people deserve better. it's time to move forward with the renewable energy agenda, with balancing our budget, with fixing our broken immigration system, making college more affordable, rather than talking in circles about projects that are already under review and won't be any more or less under review if the bill passes, because it requires the signature of the same president who's currently charged with making this decision under current law and statutes passed by united states congress. let's not waste our limited time on bills that won't go anywhere and won't do anything. i would like to ask unanimous

consent to bring h.r. 15, comprehensive immigration reform to the floor of the house. the speaker pro tempore: does the gentleman from texas yield? mr. sessions: i object. mr. polis: unfortunately yet again, we have been sometime'sed in our issues with a bill that would create 250,000 jobs for americans and restore the rule of law and unite america's families. that's what the work of congress should be, that's what the american people want congress to do. and if the 113th congress can't do it, i sure hope that the president moves forward with the powers that have been granted to him by congress and that the 114th congress proves to do better than this congress has done in its wanning days. i urge my colleagues to vote no

on the rule and underlying bill. and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from colorado yields back. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. sessions: i would like to ask the time that remains for me. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas has 4 1/2 minutes. mr. sessions: we heard our friends on the democrat side talk about special interest interest money and green energy, $18 billion is spent, money that would be spent is what was spent on sole-source contracts, to companies that have gone belly up. that's the idea of this democratic party and the ideas of this president. they have taken over six years, 2,246 days. the president of the united states, secretary of state clinton and secretary of state kerry, administration that stands in the way of operation of getting people jobs and doing things that the american people

want and need. that's why what happened the first tuesday in november, the american people have said we have had enough. i, as i republican, don't take it that we are grandstanding. they are saying we are sick and tired of the direction we're headed. brand new governors in maryland, brand new governor in illinois, there is a lot of information that's out there ready for us. we came back right to work, republicans, the senate is doing the same. they're trying to pass this. we're trying to take the exact same bill that we were asked to do with the expectation and understanding, this can pass this body, a well understood bill. it hasn't taken us six years, 2,246 days to figure it out. if this administration can't

figure the dang thing out, they have to admit they don't know how to read or lead. either they can't read or cannot lead. they need to know that the american people expect us to go get the work done. that's what you heard mr. collins say. the republican party is up to the task. republican party, through the leadership of john a. boehner, the leadership of what will be mitch mcconnell as the senate majority leader is going to do that. we will take all the issues and that is immigration, and we are going to have an immigration bill. and we're going to do the right thing. . today we're talking about jobs. we need competition for the price of nrbling. we need to make sure we don't depend as much on the middle east. we work with our friends from

canada and it does not take the republican party, six years, 2 ,246 days days, i urge my colle to support this bill and i move the previous question on the resolution. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas yields back the balance of his time. without objection the previous question is ordered. the question is on adoption of the resolution. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the ayes have it. the resolution is agreed to. does the gentleman from texas ask for the yeas and nays? the yeas and nays are requested. those favoring a vote on the yeas and nays will rise. a sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a 15-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of

representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

>> that's it. we're going to south carolina now. this the republican line. the environments of group

has to much power in our country. that is the reason why this is not going through. we'll see how it works now. hopefully obama will do the right think. i really doubt it. every really obvious to single human being in america. that's it thank you. the line for democrats, dany from oklahoma. i really don't think is the environmental groups. i don't think is a good idea. i don't think that is going to that is that many jobs, everybody is saying.

is all set up i don't think they will give us that many jobs. and then witt is going to have all these environmental worry. i don't think it is worth it. i don't want this running through my state. as a way for what the, this and that. everybody is saying all they to do for jobs, but this is all the political think. it is not really going to be our jobs to begin with. it is going all the way down to the gulf for everybody to take. i don't know.

administration has been working

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the speaker pro tempore: on this vote the yeas are 233, the nays are 185, the resolution is adopted. without objection a motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

the house will be in order. members please take your conversations off the floor.

members will clear the well. members will clear the well. the house will be in order.

members will clear the well. for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to take from the speaker's table the bill s. 2141 and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. we'll proceed with business when the house is in order.

the gentleman from ohio will repeat his request. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i ask unanimous consent to take from the speaker's table the bill s. 2141 and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: senate 2141, an act to amend the federal food, drug and cosmetic act to provide an alternative process for review of safety and effectiveness of nonprescription sunscreen ingredients and for other purpose. the speaker pro tempore: is there objection to the consideration of the bill? without objection, the bill is read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition? mr. latta: i ask unanimous consent to take from the speaker's able the bill s. 2539 and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: senate 2539, an act to amend the public health

service act to re-authorize certain programs relating to traumatic brain injury and to trauma research. the speaker pro tempore: is there objection to consideration of the bill? without objection, the bill is read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition? mr. latta: i ask unanimous consent to take from the speaker's able the the bill s. 2583 and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: senate 258 3rk an act to promote the nonexclusive use of electronic labeling for devices licensed by the federal communications commission. the speaker pro tempore: is there objection to the consideration of the bill? without objection the bill is read a third time and the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

for what purpose does the gentleman pennsylvania mr. shuster, seek recognition. sn mr. shuster: i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on h.r. 568 2. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition? mr. shuster: i call up the bill h.r. 5682 to approve the keystone x.l. pipeline. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 5682 a bill to approve the keystone x.l. pipeline. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to house resolution 748, the bill is considered read. the bill shall be debated for one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the

committee on transportation and infrastructure and the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on transportation. the gentleman, mr. defazio, the gentleman, mr. upton and the gentleman, mr. waxman each will control 15 minutes. the house will be in order. members will remove their conversation from the house floor. he house will be in order. the chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. shuster. mr. shuster: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. shuster: i rise in support of h.r. 5682 to i off -- approve he keystone x.l. pipeline. pipelines are safe, cost effective means to transport products that fuel our economy. pipelines today supply more than

2/3 of the energy used in the united states. the keystone x.l. project will be a critical addition to this extensive network, increasing our nation's supply of oil and help regular deuce the cost of oil. h.r. 5682 closely follows h.r. 3, that this house passed last year. since the passage of h.r. 3 -- >> mr. speaker, the house is not in order. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman will suspend this egentleman is correct. the house is not in order. the house will be in order. please remove your conversations from the house floor. he house will be in order. he house will be in order. the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. mr. shuster: since the passage of h.r. 3, the chair completed its final supplemental environmental impact statement on january 31 of 2014, however,

there's still been no action by the administration on the pipeline. there have been excuse, the most recent of which is pending litigation in the state of nebraska. however h.r. 5682 takes that into account and allows for rerouting in that state. there's simply no further reason to delay this important project, especially given the numerous benefits it will provide our nation this pipeline will be a boon to economic development. of particular interest to taxpayers this pipeline doesn't require one federal dollar to build. further therbling very nature of infrastructure creates jobs and the keystone x.l. is no exception. the u.s. state department reconfirmed all of this last january. state estimated the keystone x.l. will produce 42,000 jobs and $2 billion in employee earnings. this project will have significant positive economic impact including an estimated in 61.1 billion in -- including

$6.1 billion in construction contracts. the state department called this impact substantial for many counties. the keystone x.l. pipeline is the most ex-tense i havely study and vetted pipeline project in the history of this country. the project will include 95 special mitigation measures including 59 recommended to prevent spills and make this the safest pipeline ever built. i would argue that we are facing stalemate, ed paralysis by analysis. the majority of american nose this is the right thing to do, so congress, through the bill, will lead where the president has refused this project will create jobs, improve the nation's economy, strengthen our transportation system, and help improve the nation's economic security. so i urge my colleagues to support this vital piece of legislation. with that, i yield the balance of my time. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from oregon is

recognized. mr. defazio: the gentleman mentioned taxpayers. i think taxpayers may be concerned that this foreign ntity which will ship oil over 1rks700 miles across america will be exempt from a fee that all of the american companies and others using our current pipelines have to pay. because of a bizarre ruling from the i.r.s. who often makes bizarre rulings, tar sands oil will not be required to contribute toward the oil spill liability trust fund. so i think u.s. taxpayers might be concerned that a foreign entity which is going to ship tar sands oil 1,700 miles to an export zone in all probability to be processed and exported in a tax exempt area won't be paying much if any taxes in the u.s. except some property taxes and won't have to contribute toward this trust fund in case

there is a spill with this line. the u.s. taxpayers and other entities in the u.s., mostly u.s. companies, will be liable to pay for their mess. so i have a concern about taxpayers. another part of this is three citizens of the state of nebraska brought litigation because this bill would give a foreign entity the right to take their private property in the united states of america, in nebraska, by eminent domain. i'm not aware of any other time we have given a foreign entity the right to take the property, the private property of u.s. citizens. these same citizens, won a case in district court and this bill would essentially nullify the ruling that they won which is still under appeal to the

supreme court in that state. so here we have a foreign entity that won't pay taxes that other oil companies and others who ship by pipelines will be required to pay, a foreign entity that will be given the right to take the private property of u.s. taxpayers and residents and for what? yes, there will be construction jobs and jobs are good. but those are fairly ephemeral and there's a lot of other construction going on, particularly in the fracking area and with some proposed liquid natural gas export facilities that will help provide employment in the construction trade and in this case, there will be 35 permanent jobs for this tax exempt sludge that will be shipped to a zone in texas where it's most likely to be exported. do we need to export more oil, gas, and diesel from the united

states of america? is that going to help lower the price at the pump for americans? i don't think so. and in fact, we are today exporting 422,000 barrels of gasoline a day, 1.3 million barrels of diesel every day, yet truckers are still being pretty well extorted at the pump. ou know, that's 54.6 million gallons of diesel yet our going to take w, we're this tar sand goop and process it in the u.s. and export it. it's not going to help the processors. and then there are minor environmental issues. tar sands do create 81% more greenhouse gas than most other forms of fossil fuel extraction. they are going to