Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, it's a rare occasion when Democrats, Republicans, the President, his supporters, and the public all agree on something. What doesn't make sense is that, while we all agree it's time to build the Keystone pipeline, President Obama has blocked its construction for over 4 years.
The Keystone pipeline would create over 42,000 jobs. It will invest $7 billion into the U.S. economy, and it will increase U.S. energy security and independence by safely transporting 830,000 barrels of oil per day, which is nearly half of what the U.S. currently imports from unstable, hostile nations.
At a time when gas prices are on the rise and unemployment remains around 8 percent, we cannot afford to delay this project any longer. The President's own Web site says we need an all-out, all-of-the-above energy strategy that develops every available source of American energy.
I would say, Mr. President, you have a lot to worry about currently, so forget about this one, and let the oil flow.
The Keystone project is ready. Congress is ready. The public is ready. Madam Speaker, is the President ready?