Washington, D.C.—After being in office less than a week, today Congressman Mike Bost (R-IL) delivered his first floor speech to stress the importance of the passage of the Keystone XL Pipeline Act (H.R. 26). 

“The refinery in Wood River has already had a $4 billion upgrade in anticipation of the passage of the Keystone XL Pipeline, creating hundreds of jobs for Southern Illinois,” said Rep. Bost.  “Construction of this needed extension would deliver similar benefits to other areas of the country, creating an estimated 42,200 jobs in the construction, manufacturing, transportation and services industries.  This project is critical to our region in growing jobs and expanding the economy.”

“Today will be the tenth time the House has voted to approve construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline,” added Bost.  “This new Congress is a chance for a fresh start to end years of gridlock on projects like this that are overwhelmingly supported by the American people.”

A diverse coalition of businesses and unions in the construction and trade industries has come out in support of the Keystone XL Pipeline Act (H.R. 26).  The bill overwhelmingly passed the House on Friday.