Keystone XL Gains Senate Approval

It was a hurdle finally jumped on Thursday, Jan. 29. The U.S. Senate finally passed the Keystone XL Pipeline bill with enough votes to overcome a veto. The final count was 62-36 and Sen. Jon Tester did vote in favor of the pipeline in the end.

With amendments added to the bill it will have to travel back to the House and get final approval. The House passed the bill earlier in January, but there weren't enough votes to overcome a veto. A total of 67 votes will be needed to override a presidential veto. A press secretary from the White House reiterated that President Obama would veto the bill if it makes it to his desk.

If the House is able to come up with enough votes it will finally approve the $8 billion project that was first proposed in 2008. Sen. Steve Daines-R and Sen. Tester-D both released statements with the approval of the passing. Daines was the original cosponsor of the bill to approve construction.

TransCanada released a statement after the vote that they were encouraged by the support and that after the 10th vote in the U.S. Senate they felt the final outcome was a positive step.