WASHINGTON — The Republican-controlled House has sent the Senate a bill approving the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
The House voted Friday 252-161 on a bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana in a bid to boost his chances to take over Louisiana’s Senate seat from Democrat Mary Landrieu. The two are headed for a December runoff. Landrieu successfully pushed the Senate to vote on the measure next week.
The pipeline has been stalled by environmental reviews, objections to its route and politics for six years. But the latest bid by House Republicans has the best chance of reaching President Barack Obama’s desk.
Senate supporters said they were confident they’d have the 60 votes needed for passage Tuesday.
The White House has threatened to veto similar attempts to move the pipeline forward.
