House, Senate to vote on Keystone XL pipeline

Long-stalled legislation to build the Keystone XL pipeline got new life on Wednesday after Senate Democrats suddenly abandoned efforts to block the measure in hopes of helping endangered Sen. Mary Landrieu keep her seat in energy-rich Louisiana. Republicans responded swiftly to Landrieu’s maneuvering, scheduling a vote in the House Thursday on an identical bill sponsored by her Republican rival, Rep. Bill Cassidy, in a Dec. 6 runoff. It was unclear what impact the votes would have on the Senate race, but Senate passage of the bill as early as next Tuesday would force President Barack Obama to either sign it into law or veto the measure just weeks after a Democratic drubbing in midterm elections. Republicans and several moderate Democrats insist that construction of the Canada-to-Texas pipeline would create tens of thousands of jobs. Environmentalists maintain that the project would have a negative impact and contribute to climate change. The White House had no immediate comment on the day’s developments...more