WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after voting in support of constructing the Keystone XL pipeline.

"I was proud to vote today in support of the Keystone XL pipeline.

"I was one of the first members of the United States Senate to visit the Canadian oil sands to see first-hand how this resource could benefit our country. The choice is simple - build the pipeline, create jobs in the United States, and lessen our dependence on oil from the Middle East. We need oil and Canada has the means to deliver it to us. There's nothing more common-sense than expanding our long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship with Canada.

"The fate of Keystone XL is in President Obama's hands. If he rejects the pipeline it will be one of the most short-sighted decisions in memory."

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