House Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats will have a rare moment in the spotlight Friday at a hearing they demanded on the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline.
Approval of the Alberta-to-Texas pipeline has risen to the top of Republicans’ agenda. But Democrats will work at the hearing to undercut GOP claims about the benefits of the pipeline and express their support for President Obama’s decision to reject the project.
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the committee, invited several witnesses to the hearing, including Randall Thompson, a Nebraska rancher, and retired Brig. Gen. Steven Anderson. Both Thompson and Anderson are vocal opponents of the pipeline.
Waxman also secured two Obama administration witnesses who are expected to criticize Rep. Lee Terry’s (R-Neb.) bill that requires a permit for the pipeline.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com …
