“[H]ere’s what I know:  However many jobs might be generated by a Keystone pipeline, they're going to be a lot fewer than the jobs that are created by extending the payroll tax cut and extending unemployment insurance.” -  President Barack Obama, 12/08/11

After announcing he will block the construction of the proposed 1,700 mile Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport 700,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada to U.S. refineries, President Obama upped the rhetorical ante by claiming the project would not create many American jobs to begin with.

Are you sure about that Mr. President?  Even your allies in the powerful unions would probably disagree with that statement.

Here is what they have had to say about the Keystone XL Pipeline project:

AFL-CIO: "For America's skilled craft construction professionals, any discussion of the Keystone XL project begins and ends with one word: JOBS… Throughout America's Heartland, the Keystone Pipeline represents the prospect for 20,000 immediate jobs, and as many as 500,000 indirect jobs via a strong economic multiplier effect… without one single dollar of government assistance." (Mark H. Ayers, President, Building And Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, "For The 99% Of Americans, Keystone = JOBS," Huffington Post, 11/3/11)

LABORERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA: "…not just a pipeline, but is a lifeline for thousands of desperate working men and women." ("Unions Furious At Obama For Killing Pipeline Jobs," Fox News, 11/10/11)

INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS: "'The Keystone Pipeline project will offer working men and women a real chance to earn a good wage and support their families in this difficult economic climate,' said… James P. Hoffa." (TransCanada, "U.S. Pipeline Contractors Association And Unions Pledge Their Support For Keystone XL Project," 9/14/10)

Our country lacks an energy policy.  We are also facing a jobs crisis of enormous magnitude.  And our president is standing in the way of one decision that can help address both of these problems—the Keystone XL pipeline.

We need to move forward on this project.  Our economy needs it.  Our national security needs it.  For that reason, I have cosponsored legislation that would require a construction permit to be issued for the Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days of passage.