Timeline: Rick Nolan’s Keystone Contradictions
Over the last two years, Rick Nolan’s continually shifting positions on the Keystone XL project and other pipeline infrastructure bills showcase his cynical outlook on legislating. Nolan has continually gone back and forth, with his votes in Washington often contradicting his rhetoric back home. On top of his tenuous positions, Nolan shifted in just the past week from stubborn silence to sudden support for overriding a Presidential veto on the pipeline. It just so happens that Nolan was placed on national Republicans’ 2016 target list in the interim.
Take a look:
5/2/2013 – Nolan tells constituent that he is FOR the Keystone XL Pipeline
5/22/2013 – Nolan votes AGAINST a bill approving the Keystone XL Pipeline
6/24/2014 – Nolan votes AGAINST a bill streamlining the process for building pipelines and other energy infrastructure.
9/18/2014 – Nolan votes AGAINST a bill updating the permitting process for cross-border pipelines
1/9/2015 – Nolan votes FOR a bill approving the Keystone Pipeline
2/9/2015 – Nolan tells constituent that he is FOR modernizing pipeline infrastructure
2/13/2015 – Nolan refuses to say whether he is FOR or AGAINST overriding the President’s Veto
2/18/2015 –National Republican Congressional Committee places Nolan on 2016 Target List
2/20/2015 – Nolan says he is now FOR overriding President Obama’s veto