Gibbs said he supports the project
He said that during the current term, the House passed about 400 bills, including 60 by Democrats “that were never even taken up by the Senate, not even given a committee hearing.”
He expects that to change over the next two years.
“The difference is that bills will get through the Senate and go to the president,” he said.
However, Democratic President Barack Obama still has veto power, so many observers feel that it may only change where gridlock takes place, not end it.
When an employee asked Gibbs what will be the top three priorities for the new Congress, Gibbs said that he would “have to hedge a bit on that” because there will be a retreat in January where legislators will discuss what their priorities will be.
Still, Gibbs expects to see action on some trade issues. He also expects that legislation regarding the Keystone Pipeline project will reach the president’s desk. Gibbs said he supports the project.
Gibbs said the current lower price of oil might impact the immediacy of the project. He said legislation allowing the pipeline should be passed, then let the free marketplace decide if and when it will be built.
He said that the lower prices could result in cutbacks in exploration and production.
However, Gibbs said he does want to see more cuts in government spending. He said he’s working hard to get the federal government’s fiscal house in order.