Representative Bill Cassidy (R-LA) sponsored H.R. 5682, a bill to automatically approve the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, which would transport the world’s dirtiest oil through the American heartland to an international shipping port on the Gulf Coast where it would be exported. Keystone XL would lead to a significant expansion of tar sands development, unleashing massive amounts of carbon pollution and threatening surrounding communities, ecosystems, and watersheds including the Ogallala aquifer, which provides drinking water for millions of Americans. Despite these threats, Keystone XL would create just 35 permanent jobs and would not enhance American energy independence. H.R. 5682 would short circuit the federal approval process, eliminating the State Department’s ability to assess whether the pipeline is in the national interest and the President’s authority to ultimately approve or reject the project. On November 14, the House approved H.R. 5682 by a vote of 252-161 (House roll call vote 519). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The Senate rejected similar legislation forcing approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, S. 2280, on November 18.