U.S. House approves Keystone XL oil pipeline, veto expected
Xinhua, February 12, 2015 Adjust font size:
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives (lower house) Wednesday endorsed the Senate version of a bill that approves the building of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, which is expected to be vetoed by President Barack Obama for the third time.
The House passed the project by 270 votes to 152, marking the eleventh time for the chamber to pass the pro-Keystone legislation.
The Obama administration argued that the decision to build a pipeline should reside with the executive branch, not with Congress.
The Keystone XL oil pipeline which goes from Canada through the U.S. State of Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska has been delayed by the U.S. government for several years due to its so-called environmental impact.
"Instead of listening to the people, the president is standing with a bunch of left, fringe extremists and anarchists," House Speaker John Boehner told reporters before the vote.
At present the Republicans still don't have a veto-proof majority both in the Senate and the House to override a presidential veto. Endi