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Petroleum industry

Senate and President Obama Clash Over Keystone XL Pipeline Approval

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Obama are locked in a dispute over the Keystone XL pipeline, with 60 lawmakers introducing a bill to approve the project and the White House promising to veto it. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Hoeven and Manchin, aims to bypass ongoing litigation in Nebraska over the pipeline's route. The White House has argued that the Nebraska case must be resolved before the project can move forward. Despite having bipartisan support, the bill faces significant opposition from environmental groups and some Democrats, who have questioned the need for the pipeline given falling gas prices and rising domestic oil supplies.

Key Takeaways:

  • 60 lawmakers have introduced a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, including 54 Republicans and six Democrats.
  • The bill has been sponsored by Sens. Hoeven and Manchin, who argue that the ongoing litigation in Nebraska should not delay the project's evaluation.
  • The White House has threatened to veto the bill, citing the need for the Nebraska case to be resolved before the project can move forward.
  • Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has accused President Obama of opposing bipartisanship by threatening to veto the bill.
  • The bill has significant bipartisan support, with three other Democrats likely to back it based on their previous votes on the pipeline.
  • Environmental groups have strongly opposed the pipeline, warning of the potential for environmentally damaging oil spills.
  • Other Democrats have questioned the need for the pipeline, pointing to falling gas prices and rising domestic oil supplies.

Statistics:

  • 60 lawmakers have introduced the Keystone XL pipeline approval bill.
  • 54 Republicans and six Democrats have co-sponsored the bill.
  • 63 votes (54 Republicans + 6 Democrats + 3 other Democrats likely to back it) would be needed to override a veto.
  • 10 Democrats have opposed the pipeline, including Sens. Durbin and Markey.

Sources:

  • Stack, Steve. "President Obama 'wouldn't sign' Keystone approval bill, White House says." The Hill, 20 Jan. 2015.
  • Barron-Lopez, Laura. "Senate advances Keystone pipeline bill despite White House threat." The Hill, 20 Jan. 2015.
  • "Climate change: What you need to know." CNN, 14 Jan. 2015.
  • "Keystone XL pipeline: What you need to know." CNN, 14 Jan. 2015.

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