Mark Knoller Grills White House on Keystone Pipeline Decision

White House Grilled on Keystone Pipeline Delay: ‘What in The World Is Taking So Long?’ (The Washington Free Beacon)

CBS reporter Mark Knoller grilled the White House Wednesday over the long delay over the State Department’s final decision to approve or disapprove construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, pointing out Congress had just two months to review the Iran nuclear deal.

The review of the project by the State Department has stretched into years.

“Has the president never questioned what in the world is taking so long for the State Department to come to a conclusion at this? It’s been years,” Knoller said.

“I don’t know if there have been extensive discussions about this,” spokesman Josh Earnest said. “There have been a number of things that have slowed the consideration of this particular project … But in terms of the timing of when a decision would be announced, I just don’t have anything for you.”

“And would you take issue with an assertion that the president is happy to let the State Department take its time coming to a decision?” Knoller asked.

“I think the president would have the expectation that the State Department would fulfill the responsibility that they have to carefully consider the consequences of this particular project and the potential benefits of the project, and evaluate whether or not it is in the broad national interest of the United States for the project to go forward,” Earnest replied.