Posted on 09/19/2014 7:51:37 AM PDT by thackney
Marking the sixth anniversary of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline's permit application, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) teased voters with a preview of what a GOP-controlled Senate would do.
"If American people give us the opportunity to be in a majority next year, I'll be setting the agenda," McConnell said. "It's easier to score if you're on offense, and the majority leader is offensive coordinator."
He added: "If we have a new majority next year, and a new majority leader, the Keystone pipeline will be voted on on the floor of the Senate, something the current majority has been avoiding for literally years."
The promise should come as no surprise as Republicans have voiced constant frustration with the administration over the $5.4 billion project, which would carry crude from oil sands in Alberta to Gulf refineries. Republican Sens. John Hoeven (N.D.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), John Barrasso (Wyo.), John Thune (S.D.) joined McConnell in marking the anniversary of Keystone's permit, which is currently in limbo at the State Department.
All 45 Republican senators also sent a letter to President Obama on Thursday, calling on him, yet again, to approve the pipeline, which they argue is "shovel-ready."
Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) said, when asked by voters why the pipeline has yet to be approved, that he blames billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer.
"There is no good answer to this other than the ideological blinders that Sen. Barrasso was alluding to and the fact that Tom Steyer will come after any Democrat who votes for this because of his own ideological blinders," Cornyn said.
He added that, if given the majority, Republicans would pass Keystone XL, move on natural gas exports, and "have a robust debate about crude [oil exports] as well."
Environmentalists and liberal Democrats are adamantly opposed to the pipeline, arguing it would significantly contribute to climate change, as well as endangering the environment and homes along the project's route.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) offered to have a binding vote on Keystone XL earlier this year as long as Republicans joined with Democrats in passing a major energy efficiency bill.
Republicans wouldn't budge, blasting Reid for blocking their energy amendments.
It demonstrates that the Tea Party has fangs, and is willing to use them when necessary. That is the sort of political power that everyone in Washington fears.
The Tea Party was trodden upon, now the Tea Party needs to bite.
What else does this mean if not that?
Agreed.
McConnel needs to be removed
one way or the other
At any cost? In that we would not agree.
I understand the sentiment. I'm stuck with John Cornyn. I will never vote for him again. But I won't vote for someone who agrees even less with me, David Alameel. His main ideas are higher taxes, higher min wage, more welfare. I'm not sending a message I want those.
Even if the GOP controlled both houses of Congress with a veto proof majority, the PPACA would not be repealed. Their global corporatist overlords would disapprove. You know, privatize the profits and socialize the costs.
I realize we don’t agree even though we both want leaders more conservative than McConnell.
I don’t think the message is sent, by voting for the more liberal candidate. I don’t see how that will ever get the point across.
If conservatives farther down the ticket receive more votes than RINO’s up the ticket, I think it sends the message both of us are saying.
My 2¢, worth only what you paid for it.
Cheers
/johnny
/johnny
Yes he can be fired this way. My take is the message it sends to the political parties is you want liberal candidates when you vote for the most liberal choice.
If you vote for Alison Grimes (D) over David Patterson (Libertarian) and Mike Maggard (Write-In), I believe the message received will be you want a more liberal senator.
I think his alligator mouth is overbalancing his mocking bird butt.
It would be nice, but Obama would veto any legislation that authorized the pipeline and there is no way he could get enough votes to override.
I understand it is not your intent, but that message will be received none the less.
I'll help. Are we breech loading or muzzle loading them?
It’s not enough just to not vote for the one you don’t like, You must do what you can to get them OUT.
And it is very much a first things first sort of proposition. And I honestly don’t take elections too seriously now. For a lot of reasons to numerous to list here. Electoral politics is for the naeve.
Do you believe Obamacare would have been passed without the Democrats in charge of senate, house and president?
/johnny
/johnny
No, he won’t. Dems will either filibuster it, or 0bama will veto.
I'll bring the big swabs. You'll want to get the stench out of the bore.
LOL, I dunno.
Maybe he could have offered to reach across the aisle to work with TEA party conservatives.
While a host of Democrats are busily scheming like demons against the American people, the RINO leadership’s collective response reminds me of the Bob Dole campaign against Clinton and the John McCain campaign against Obama. Let’s just smile, be nice, and be careful not to offend anyone while we watch the world go by.
Should have had it by now, a-hole.
Do you believe Obamacare would have been passed without the Democrats in charge of senate, house and president?
Sometimes things need to run their course to remove all doubt about what they are.
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