Republicans Question Casey's Keystone Pipeline Vote

Sometimes you just can’t win.
Yesterday, Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Casey crossed party lines to try and authorize the Keystone XL pipeline, which President Barack Obama rejected earlier this year. As the LA Times reports,

Thursday’s vote to attach the Canada-to-Gulf Coast pipeline project to a must-pass transportation bill failed 56-42, with 11 Democrats joining Republicans to support the measure. Sixty votes were needed for passage.
President Barack Obama had called senators to urge a no vote. “We hope that the Congress will … not waste its time with ineffectual, sham legislation,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said.

The pipeline has become a major campaign issue. That was evident shortly after the vote was completed, when Republican Senate candidate Steve Welch blasted Casey for…voting with Republicans. In a press release, he called the vote “an election year gimmick,” adding:

For five years, Bob Casey has pursued a liberal energy agenda that would do little to lower gas prices, make America energy independent, or create jobs….

Today’s vote in favor of increased production contradicts Senator Casey’s energy past.
But Pennsylvanians know better than to fall for Casey’s stunts. A quick glance at Casey’s record will show support for policies like Cap and Trade, more burdensome regulations on the energy industry and statements opposing domestic oil production; all policies that will cause energy prices to skyrocket, crush economic growth and prevent America from breaking it’s foreign oil addiction.

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