Another part of the federal funding package passed by Congress over the weekend includes The Keystone XL Pipeline project, a 36-inch pipeline running 1,600 miles from Canada to Texas. It would transport oil from supply fields in Alberta and North Dakota to refineries on the Gulf Coast.

Missouri’s U.S. Representative Sam Graves, says construction of the pipeline would quickly create thousands of jobs for pipefitters, welders, mechanics, and electricians among others. That does not count the hundreds of other jobs that would be created for manufacturers or for the local businesses along the route. Graves points out that – one Department of Energy analysis concludes that it would essentially eliminate our dependence on Middle East oil.

The President has delayed the final okay of the XL Pipeline until after the election. However, Graves believes – the administration should approve the Keystone Pipeline without delay. We should not wait for an election to create thousands of good-paying jobs. H.R. 3630 requires the President to approve the pipeline or tell Congress why it’s not in our national interest.