Bill H.R. 5682 (the Bill) to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives today (November 14, 2014). The Bill was approved with 252 representatives voting in favour of approval and 161 representatives voting against it. Approval of the Bill marks the ninth time the U.S. House of Representatives has approved the Keystone XL project.
On Tuesday, November 18, 2014 the Bill will be considered by the U.S. Senate. Although the Republicans, who have traditionally been supporters of the Keystone XL project, regained the majority of the U.S. Senate in the recent midterm elections, the new Senators-elect will not be sworn in until the new year. Moreover, it is important to note that even if the Senate approves the Bill, President Obama has the presidential power to veto passage of the Bill. However, a presidential veto may be overridden by the U.S. Congress in certain circumstances.
To date, the Keystone XL pipeline has been delayed for roughly six years due to environmental reviews, legal challenges to the route of the pipeline and political opposition.
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