Montana's U.S. lawmakers decry Obama decision on pipeline

Republicans and Democrats both tried to force President Barack Obama's hand on an oil pipeline planned to run through Montana, and succeeded. Obama Wednesday denied a permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Congress had tied to an extension of payroll tax reductions and unemployment insurance a requirement that a decision on the permit for the pipeline be made within 60 days.

Obama said in a statement that the denial was not a judgement of the merits of the pipeline, but was due to the arbitrary deadline "insisted on by Congressional (sic) Republicans. "

Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., sponsored leg...