Senate Passes Keystone XL Pipeline Bill

After three weeks of debate, the Senate voted Thursday to build the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, despite threats of a veto from President Obama. The legislation mandates the construction of the north-south pipeline for Canadian oil and marks the first time the Senate passed a bill approving its construction. Nine Democrats joined the 53 Republicans in a 62 to 36 vote. However, Republicans are still several votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to override Obama’s anticipated veto. The House, which passed a similar bill on Jan. 9, will have to agree on the Senate’s amended version before the bill goes to the president’s desk.