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GOP: Energy independence would relieve Ukraine, ISIS woes

Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, says the U.S. would have a less vexing time addressing global crises if its leaders developed more domestic energy resources
GOP congressman links energy independence with ISIS, Ukraine crises 06:26

The fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, and the tensions with Russia over Ukraine might be less vexing if America developed more domestic energy resources, Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, suggested in the weekly Republican address Saturday.

"Many of our allies are tethered by aggressive regional powers like Russia, which dominates the Eastern European energy market. Energy development here at home and boosting our allies abroad would make America safer - all while creating thousands of sorely needed jobs at home," he said. "Energy independence improves the stability of our families, the safety of our families and provides economic security from the threat of terrorism by organizations that pose imminent threats to our nation like [ISIS] and others."

"At a time when the Middle East is becoming increasingly unstable, a prudent president would embrace a true all-of-the-above energy strategy," he added, touting his bill to expedite the approval process for exports of liquefied natural gas.

Obama: U.S. "poised to control our own energy future" 02:34

President Obama has been quick to emphasize the progress made toward energy independence on his watch.

"Our energy production, higher than it's ever been," he said at a fundraiser last month. "We're now actually producing more than we import for the first time in two decades, a doubling of clean energy production, a ten-fold increase in solar energy, three-fold increase in wind power, the most significant reductions in carbon emissions of any advanced economies, including Europe."

Gardner, who's running for the U.S. Senate against Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colorado, urged the president to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline and "stop blocking responsible energy development on public lands" to help secure energy independence and create jobs.

"Just yesterday, the Keystone pipeline delay turned six years old. Thanks to the president's inaction, we are no closer to building the pipeline today than we were six years ago," he said. "Colorado supports building the Keystone pipeline because we know its benefits don't end with its ability to create new jobs. The pipeline would be a major step forward in making us North American energy secure."

The pipeline would carry crude oil harvested from Canadian tar sands to refineries along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Proponents say it would increase America's footprint in the global energy market and create thousands of jobs at home. Critics worry about encouraging the development of more fossil fuels, in light of the danger posed by climate change. And communities along the pipeline's path have voiced concerns about spillage.

The pipeline has been in limbo for years. In January, the State Department released an environmental impact report concluding that the pipeline would not significantly worsen carbon pollution, bringing the project one step closer to construction. But after a Nebraska judge overturned a state law in February that sanctioned the pipeline's route through the state, the administration indefinitely extended the agency review process for the pipeline, likely delaying any final decision until after November's midterm elections.

Gardner and Udall are locked in a tight race, according to public polls. In a CBS News/New York Times estimate released earlier this month, Udall led Gardner, 46 to 43 percent.

Obama: Congress approving ISIS plan sends "powerful signal" 03:01

In the president's own weekly address Saturday, he touted the growing international participation in the fight against ISIS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.

"This isn't America vs. ISIL," he said. "This is the people of that region vs. ISIL. It's the world vs. ISIL."

Senate approves plan to train and arm Syrian rebels 02:52

"Because we're leading the right way, more nations are joining our coalition," he added. "Over 40 countries have offered to help the broad campaign against ISIL so far - from training and equipment, to humanitarian relief, to flying combat missions. And this week, at the United Nations, I'll continue to rally the world against this threat."

The president applauded the House and Senate for passing a bill granting him the authority to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels to take the fight to extremists in that country. The president signed that bill Friday.

"Those votes sent a powerful signal to the world: Americans are united in confronting this danger," he said in his address. "And I hope Congress continues to make sure our troops get what they need to get the job done."

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