Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, voted in favor of the Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3), legislation that removes the roadblocks preventing construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.  The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 241 to 175.  Royce issued the following statement upon the bill’s passage:

“This job-creating, energy-producing project is long overdue.  Passage of today’s legislation will remove the hurdles that are preventing this critical energy project’s completion.  Without question, the economic and national security benefits are overwhelming.  Prompt approval of Keystone XL will mean jobs for an estimated 20,000 Americans.  I strongly support this legislation.”