After years of lobbying for its passage -- and significant setbacks along the way -- the Keystone XL Pipeline has finally passed the upper chamber:
Sizable support @McConnellPress: U.S. Senate passes #KeystoneXL 62-36.
— SalenaZito (@SalenaZitoTrib) January 29, 2015The bill needed 60 votes to pass. It is now heading to the White House. Stay tuned for updates.
UPDATE: This victory will be short-lived:
The White House promptly declared that Mr. Obama would veto the measure — which would force the approval of a proposed 1,179-mile oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico — in a stroke of the pen that is expected to be the opening shot in a series of vetoes of Republican measures.
UPDATE: The legislation earned bipartisan support:
Nine Democrats joined with Republicans to support the bill despite President Barack Obama's promise to veto it because he thinks the decision should remain up to the executive branch.
UPDATE: Senate Republicans are already putting pressure on the White House to sign the bill:
The President should reconsider his veto threat of #KeystoneXL after today’s bipartisan vote. Bill includes provisions he already supports.
— Rob Portman (@senrobportman) January 29, 2015UPDATE: More details.
Senate votes 62-36 to pass Keystone bill. Must be reconciled with House-passed version. WH reaffirms Pres Obama's intention to veto it.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) January 29, 2015UPDATE: National Journal reports:
Here are nine the Senate Democrats who voted for Keystone:1. Michael Bennet, Colo.
2. Thomas Carper, Del.
3. Robert Casey, Pa.
4. Joe Donnelly, Ind.
5. Heidi Heitkamp, N.D.
6. Joe Manchin, W. Va.
7. Claire McCaskill, Mo.
8. Jon Tester, Mont.
9. Mark Warner, Va.