Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R –Kan.) issued the following statement in response to the Senate passage of legislation approving construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline:

“Passing a bill to approve construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline is the first victory of the new Republican Senate Majority. Republicans have been pushing this project for years, and within weeks of obtaining a majority, the more than six year battle to move Keystone to the President’s desk is over.”

“The 42,000 jobs created by this project now rest on the President’s shoulders. I am disappointed President Obama will veto this bill, despite the American people’s overwhelming support for construction of the pipeline. It is my sincere hope the President will rise to the occasion, put commonsense above ideology, American jobs over a liberal agenda, sign this bill, and make the long overdue Keystone Pipeline a reality.”