House Approves Keystone XL Pipeline

The House of Representatives easily approved construction of the Keystone XL pipeline Nov. 14, the first vote on the controversial issue since Congress returned to Washington this week for its lame duck session.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 252 to 161 and was sent to the Senate, which is to vote on the measure next week.

President Obama, however, reiterated while still on his Asian trip this week that he will veto any bill authorizing the pipeline because it is still being evaluated by the U.S. State Department — a requirement since the pipeline would cross an international border.

“Understand what this project is: It is providing the ability of Canada to pump their oil, send it through our land down to the Gulf where it will be sold everywhere else,” the president said today during a visit to Yangon, Myanmar. “It doesn’t have an impact on U.S. gas prices.”

The Keystone, which is to carry oil from Canada to refineries along the Gulf Coast, is hotly opposed by environmentalists and by some residents in Nebraska, one of the states in the pipeline’s path.

A court suit is being played out in the state on the issue there and a supporter of the pipeline, Rep. Lee Terry (R), was defeated in the November election by a pipeline opponent, Brad Ashford (D).

Tonight, the House began debate on #KeystoneXL. I explained why I'm opposed to #HR5682 in my opening statement. ==> http://t.co/aufMJLKxTw — Rep Peter DeFazio (@RepPeterDeFazio) November 14, 2014

The issue has put some Democrats in opposition to the president and it has also pitted labor unions against Obama and anti-pipeline Democrats.

In the Senate, however, one of the strongest pipeline supporters, Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) has called for a vote. She is in a runoff campaign to save her seat.

Proud to announce the House passed my #KeystoneXL bill. This is the 9th time the House has taken action on Keystone. pic.twitter.com/Hr2z3FBWPB — Bill Cassidy (@BillCassidy) November 14, 2014

The House bill was sponsored by her opponent in the Louisiana race, Rep. Bill Cassidy (R).

“The President continues to use every excuse to delay this project, but it’s time to move forward, show some leadership, and approve this project that will provide numerous benefits to Americans and our nation,” said Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

American Trucking Associations has endorsed construction of the pipeline.

BREAKING: After the debate I led last night, the House has just passed a bill to approve the #KeystoneXL pipeline. http://t.co/0uTbug2B1c — Bill Shuster (@RepBillShuster) November 14, 2014

WATCH: Five simple reasons to approve #KeystoneXL. #MFGenergy http://t.co/ridFrbbXN9 — Nat Assoc of Mfg (@ShopFloorNAM) November 13, 2014