House and Senate Pass Keystone Pipeline Bill, but Obama Has Promised a Veto

摘要

Legislation to authorize the beginning of construction on the $3.3-billion Keystone XL pipeline has cleared the House and Senate. But project advocates' victory may be short-lived: President Obama has vowed to veto the bill when it reaches his desk. Pro-Keystone lawmakers held a signing ceremony Feb. 13 but said they would delay sending the bill to Obama until after the Presidents Day recess. The Senate passed the measure on Jan. 29, after adding energy-efficiency provisions; the House approved the bill on Feb. 11. The margin in each chamber fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.