The House of Representatives passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) that would authorize construction of TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline. Via The Hill, 31 Democrats joined majority Republicans in passing the bill. Meanwhile, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) is seeking passage of an identical bill by the Senate. It is not clear if Landrieu has the 60 votes necessary to override a potential filibuster by her fellow Democrats. Landrieu faces Cassidy in a run-off for her Senate seat Dec. 6.
Even if the Senate passes the Keystone bill, President Obama has given no indication that he would sign it into law. Obama said at a press conference in Burma he believes the pipeline should remain the subject of a review process that has lasted six years.
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