Senate Dems Aim to Tack Buy America Policy on Keystone Vote
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Democratic allies in the chamber plan to introduce an amendment to a Keystone XL pipeline bill that would force contractors to use U.S. materials in the project’s construction, Schumer said on Jan. 5 and later in a letter to Senate colleagues. American-made iron, steel and manufactured goods will have to be used in the pipeline’s construction, operations and maintenance, said the letter, also endorsed by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
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Schumer said he still plans to oppose the bill, and hopes President Barack Obama also vetoes it. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest declined to comment on Jan. 5 on whether Obama will reject the measure (here). But Democrats will likely have enough votes to block a veto-proof majority, Schumer told CBS's Face the Nation (here). The letter spells out four more amendments Democratic aim to tack onto the bill. Foreign officials frequently criticize U.S. Buy America policies as protectionist (see 1411280023).
Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, said the House will take up the measure on or before Jan. 9 (here). The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, now led by Keystone proponent Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, will hold a hearing on the bill to approve the project on Jan. 7 (here). In their letter, Schumer and Stabenow said they are working with Democrats on the ENR and Environment and Public Works committees to tack on the amendments.