Source:  www.sbecouncil.org

By Susanne Goldenberg, Jan. 29, 2015, TheGuardian.com

Fresh from their first big legislative win in the new Congress, Republicans on Thursday called on Barack Obama to back down on his veto threat and sign into law a bill approving construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

As the Keystone bill glided to a 62-36 passage in the Senate, with nine Democrats voting in favour, Republicans stepped up their challenge to Obama’s authority and urged him to sign off on the pipeline project.

“The US Senate and House have now passed legislation approving the Keystone XL project, and the American people have repeatedly expressed their support for it,” John Hoeven, the North Dakota Republican who introduced the Keystone bill, said.

“I encourage the president to sign this legislation and work with us not only to build this vital infrastructure project, but also to help us develop a comprehensive, all-of-the-above, energy plan for our nation.”
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With Thursday’s vote, the Republicans have made good on their promise to make Keystone the first order of business of the new Congress – although it is highly unlikely to ever become law.