House presses Clinton on Keystone XL

WASHINGTON, July 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is called on to "promptly" back a permit to build the extension to the Keystone XL oil pipeline, a lawmaker said.

Canadian pipeline company TransCanada wants to build Keystone XL to supplement its existing pipeline carrying tar sands oil from Alberta. The current network terminates in Oklahoma and Illinois and the extension would end along the Gulf of Mexico.

The U.S. State Department needs to approve the project because the pipeline crosses the Canadian border.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee in a markup of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act included an amendment regarding Keystone XL.

Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla., said delays in authorizing the pipeline have "adversely affected" the U.S. economy and weakened national security.

Critics of the pipeline point to numerous breaks along the current route and raise concerns about the potential harmful environmental impact of heavy crude oil from Alberta.

"In accordance with all applicable rules and guidelines, the secretary of state should promptly authorize the presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline," read Mack's amendment.

The Republican-led House committee voted in favor of Mack's amendment though the measure could face opposition from the Democratic-controlled Senate.