The Republican-controlled US Senate has passed a bill to build Keystone XL oil pipeline. However, the
measure passed 62-36 and President Obama has threatened to veto it.
The bipartisan bill builds the Keystone XL oil pipeline, and therefore defying a presidential veto threat. This sets up the first of many future battles over energy and the environment.
The 62-36 vote advanced a top priority of the newly empowered GOP and marked the first time the Senate passed a bill authorizing the pipeline, despite numerous attempts to force President Obama's hand on the issue.
This vote included nine Democrats, who joined with 53 Republicans to back the measure. However, the vote was short of the threshold needed to override a veto, and the legislation still must be reconciled with the version the House passed... Stay tuned for much finger pointing!
How Keystone XL Got (So) Political http://nyti.ms/1FuxCxe via @nytvideo