WASHINGTON — Legislation approving construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline cleared an initial Senate hurdle Monday, a victory for Republicans angling for a quick veto showdown with President Barack Obama.
The bipartisan 63-32 vote was three more than the 60 required and well above the level the highly controversial measure gained in recent years when Democrats controlled the Senate.
The measure has sparked intense debate over the Canada-to-Texas pipeline’s potential impact on employment and the environment. Although the project was proposed six years ago, the White House opposes the legislation as long as the administration is still conducting its formal review.
Republican and Democratic supporters said they hoped the legislation could win final approval and be sent to the White House by the end of next week.
“President Obama has every reason to sign the jobs and infrastructure bill that we will pass,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. He noted that the Nebraska Supreme Court had recently rejected a legal challenge brought by opponents, an obstacle the White House had cited.
