JOSH CLAIMS: Sherrod Brown voted against the Keystone Pipeline, killing thousands of jobs and sending North American oil to China.

THE TRUTH: Sherrod Brown believes that professionals should make decisions about pipeline routes and is concerned over any plan that could increase oil prices in the Midwest.

1. Sherrod is concerned over the possibility of higher gas prices as a result of the pipeline. [Christian Science Monitor via MSNBC, 3/9/12]

2. There are no barriers that prevent Canadian oil from coming into the U.S. [FactCheck.org, 3/30/12]

3. Sherrod Brown has led the fight to create jobs by punishing China when it cheats trade law, unlike Josh Mandel who opposes efforts to crack down on Chinese currency manipulation.

Companies Backing The Keystone Pipeline Expect It To “Raise Midwest Oil Prices” By Reducing Oversupply.  In March 2012, the Christian Science Monitor reported “Canadian companies backing the Keystone XL – touted as enhancing US energy security with a big new surge of imported Canadian oil – actually expect it to supply more lucrative Gulf Coast export markets as well as raise Midwest oil prices by reducing ‘oversupply’ in that region.” [Christian Science Monitor via MSNBC, 3/9/12]

FactCheck.org:  “There’s Nothing Stopping More Canadian Oil From Coming Into The U.S. Right Now.”  In March 2012, FactCheck.org wrote “Regarding the pipeline, as we’ve reported, there’s nothing stopping more Canadian oil from coming into the U.S. right now. Existing cross-border pipelines could carry perhaps 1 million additional barrels of oil per day, and surplus capacity is projected to persist for years to come even without the Keystone project.”  [FactCheck.org, 3/30/12]