[Washington Examiner] The House passed legislation Friday that would green-light the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline, as attention now shifts to an upcoming Senate vote next week.
The bill from Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La., passed 252-161, with all Republicans supporting -- except one who voted present -- and 31 Democrats joining them. Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and John Hoeven, R-N.D., have floated the same bill in the upper chamber, which is scheduled for a Tuesday vote.
President B.O., however, hinted Friday that he would veto the bill if it reached his desk. He reiterated that he would not let legislation circumvent the review process at the State Department, which has had the application for a cross-border permit needed to build the pipeline's northern leg forever for more than six years.
| Perhaps the House could call in the single drone worker at Foggy Bottom who has been spending two hours a month reviewing the pipeline... |
"My position hasn't changed, that this is a process that is supposed to be followed," Obama said during a presser in Burma, dashing some speculation that he could OK the legislation as an olive branch to the incoming Republican-led Senate. |