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Representative Lee Terry (R-NE) today made the following statement with bipartisan, bicameral leaders after introducing legislation in the House of Representatives that declares no Presidential permit shall be required to build the Keystone XL pipeline:

"Thank you Jon, and thank you for the important work you're doing on this project in the Senate.

"And I especially want to thank my colleagues from the House side for joining us today. Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton – thank you, Fred for giving me the leeway to write this legislation and shepherd it through the process. And I wish to thank our Subcommittee Chairman on Energy and Power, Ed Whitfield.

"I also would like to recognize and thank House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Bill Shuster and Doc Hastings, Chairman of the House Resources Committee for their help in drafting certain parts of my legislation.

"Over 1,600 days ago, the initial permits were filed to apply to build the Keystone pipeline. To put that time frame in perspective, it took the United States just over 1,300 days to win World War II; and it took Lewis and Clark just over 1,100 days to walk the Louisiana Purchase.

"I fully recognize there is a process ongoing at the State Department, but we've seen this song and dance before.

"This project will create 20,000 new jobs related to the construction of the pipeline. It will create another 118,000 jobs downstream. In my district in Omaha, Nebraska, local labor union leaders who support this project tell me it will create up to 2,000 jobs in Omaha alone.

"The President is home in Illinois today talking about energy independence. When we heard him on Wednesday we got mixed messages and I expect more of the same today.

"That's why this morning I introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to declare that no Presidential permit shall be required for the pipeline that will secure America's energy independence.

"The time is up. No more delays. It's time to build the Keystone pipeline."