Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) said the Obama Administration needs to make a decision on the fate of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The pipeline awaits a ruling by the Army Corps of Engineers about an easement, so the pipeline can be built underneath Lake Oahe. The pipeline has attracted thousands of protestors.
"Do not let this thing continue to play out," Heitkamp told Bismarck reporters. "Two more months before a decision, if that's what it's going to be, is not a direction -- but at least we can plan for it."
Heitkamp said there is an element within the protestors that doesn’t have the best interest of the state of North Dakota at heart.
"We absolutely need to have a unified front, combining the peaceful protestors with the folks on the other side, saying 'That is not the North Dakota way, and you need to stop what you're doing,'" Heitkamp said. "It is now a formula for disaster."
Heitkamp also said the taxpayers of Morton County – and of North Dakota – should not be saddled with all of the law enforcement costs.
"We will do everything we can to make sure the federal government has its share of the cost," Heitkamp said. "They need to have skin in the game."
Heitkamp says she doesn’t expect any action in the lame duck session – unless Congress takes up a continuing budget resolution.
Heitkamp doesn’t expect any action in the lame duck session – unless Congress takes up a continuing budget resolution.
