RGA Chairman Bob McDonnell Statement on U.S. Senate Rejection of Pro-Job Amendments

Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement this afternoon following the rejection by the United States Senate of two important job-related amendments to S. 1813, the Surface Transportation bill. Despite majority votes in favor of both, the Senate failed, due to 60-vote requirements for passage, to approve the two non-germane amendments. The first would have approved the Keystone XL pipeline, which would lead to the creation of thousands of jobs, and the second would have provided the EPA with additional time to review and revise their proposed Boiler MACT rules, which could put at risk thousands of American jobs.

“Today, the United States Senate had the opportunity to act positively on two important job-related amendments. The first would have cleared the way for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, a critical project that would increase our nation’s energy security while creating thousands of good-paying jobs for our citizens. America needs more energy and more jobs. The Keystone XL pipeline would deliver both. This vote is especially disappointing given the rising energy prices – especially at the gas pump – that are impacting all Americans in this difficult economy.

In addition to a failure to take a major step forward in creating thousands of energy-related jobs, the Senate also put thousands of currently existing jobs at risk through its failure to provide relief from the negative economic consequences that could result from the proposed EPA Boiler MACT rules. According to the Council of Industrial Boiler Owners, the rules could impact 87 boilers in Virginia, at a cost to comply of $609 million. They would jeopardize 9,748 jobs. In short, Virginia businesses can’t afford the costs and the impact of these onerous proposed EPA regulations. This amendment would have stayed the current proposed rules, and allowed for a thoughtful consideration of the issue to ensure that regulations from Washington would not lead to job losses in our states. I thank Senator Susan Collins for offering this amendment, and I am disappointed that it was not able to gain the 60 votes necessary for passage.”