As Minnesotans enjoy a holiday weekend at the lake or the final days of the state fair, Rep. Ilhan Omar convinced three other “Squad” members to visit the Gopher State in a desperate effort to stop construction on the almost-finished Line 3 pipeline.
Joining Omar to spread misinformation in Minneapolis Friday were controversial Reps. Cori Bush, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib.
The group then traveled 200 miles northwest to Bemidji Saturday and continued their protests, but this time adding demands to President Joe Biden.
“I think it’s really important that President Biden understands that this decision around being silent is devastating these communities,” Tlaib said at a Saturday press conference.
Rep. @RashidaTlaib on Minnesota oil pipeline: "I think it's really important that President Biden understands that this decision around being silent is devastating these communities." pic.twitter.com/wNcgjmYzQS
— The Hill (@thehill) September 4, 2021
Omar also criticized the alleged inaction of President Biden and Gov. Tim Walz.
“It is unconscionable for us to see zero action being taken by our governor and president in stopping this pipeline,” she said.
Rep. @IlhanMN on Minnesota oil pipeline: "It is unconscionable for us to see zero action being taken by our governor and President in stopping this pipeline." pic.twitter.com/nUEQ3pz1T2
— The Hill (@thehill) September 5, 2021
Omar, Rep. Betty McCollum, and other Minnesota DFLers already asked Biden for “urgent intervention” last week.
The president seemingly had more pressing matters than a safe pipeline nearing completion. Even Gov. Walz’s administration criticized the Squad’s “false” and “misleading information” with a public letter Sept. 1, signed by the commissioners of the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Public Safety, and the Department of Transportation
While the radical congresswomen claim to speak for “indigenous communities,” a Native American wrote a column in the Star Tribune Friday, explaining why he’s proud to be “working on this important infrastructure project, which provides much-needed work for people in our part of Minnesota. I am also pleased that we are able to provide good-paying wages to Native Americans who are looking to better their future with a career in construction.”
Canada-based Enbridge Inc. has spent nearly $300 million on the project and employed thousands during construction of the pipeline. This financially benefits tribal nations and their citizens, as well as increases local spending and tax revenues.
Newer and safer than the 60-year-old structure it’s replacing, Line 3 incorporates modern anti-leak technologies — thick steel and more advanced coatings — and will be better for the environment than its predecessor.
Republican legislators also held a press conference at the Minnesota Capitol Friday to criticize the Squad’s visit and signed a statement supporting the pipeline.
“We are offended the D.C. ‘Squad,’ led by Minneapolis Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, is coming to Minnesota to protest and further obstruct a thoroughly vetted, tested, and approved project,” said the statement. “The blatant mistruths in their recent letter to the Biden Administration have already been debunked by union leaders.”
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, who represents the Eighth Congressional District much of the pipeline covers, supports the endeavor.
“We have the opportunity today to stand up for energy independence, good-paying jobs, a pipeline that needed to be replaced, was replaced, that’s close to 90% completed, and will benefit, will have an economic benefit, for those communities for years to come,” Stauber explained.
A.J. Kaufman
A.J. Kaufman is an Alpha News columnist. His work has appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Florida Sun-Sentinel, Indianapolis Star, Israel National News, Orange County Register, St. Cloud Times, Star-Tribune, and across AIM Media Midwest and the Internet. Kaufman previously worked as a school teacher and military historian.
