Stage Is Set For Obama to Reject Keystone XL Bill

Washington, D.C. – The stage is set for President Obama to show his true position on the Keystone XL pipeline as Thursday the Senate moved a bill on its way to his desk for a signature or a veto.

In a 62-36 vote, the Senate approved the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Not enough votes to overturn President Obama’s promised veto.

[Tweet “Mr. President, Please Veto Keystone XL! @whitehouse #kxl”]

The proposed TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline would carry 800,000 barrels per day of tar sands oil across the United States to be refined, exported and burned. Environmental groups, such as 350.org, say that the pipeline poses an increased risk for spills and that it will contribute to climate disruption.

TransCanada has earlier claimed that the pipeline would create 42,000 ongoing jobs, however that estimate has been highly criticised as being inaccurate and inflated. According to the State Department, once the construction is complete, the project would only create a total of about 50 U.S. jobs.

This past November, the bill was defeated by Senators. What makes this vote different is that there are more Republicans in the Senate. The GOP set passage of Keystone XL as a top priority of the year.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), said “There is overwhelming support for construction of the Keystone XL.”