When the U.S. Senate begins its debate over the future of the Keystone XL Pipeline next week, it's likely that there will be a vigorous debate over an amendment proposed by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
"If we are a nation whose leaders do not believe in science and what the scientists are telling us, then we are in pretty bad shape as a country." - Sen. Bernie Sanders
Sanders says he's strongly opposed to the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline for economic and environmental reasons. The project is designed to ship oil from the tar sands of Alberta, Canada to refineries along the Gulf coast in eastern Texas.
Sanders says his amendment is very simple. It states that "climate change is real" and that there is a brief window of opportunity to deal with this problem on a global basis.
"I think it's important that the United States Senate go on record as to whether or not they believe in science, I mean that is just a basic issue that people have got to stand up for,” said Sanders. “If we are a nation whose leaders do not believe in science and what the scientists are telling us, then we're in pretty bad shape as a country."
Although the Republican majority on the Senate Energy committee has voted to table Sanders' amendment, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated that he'll allow the amendment to be debated by the full Senate.
