As predicted, President Obama vetoed the Keystone XL Pipeline bill that passed by 270-152 in the House earlier this month and cleared the Senate in January. Despite their majority in the Senate, Republicans are four votes short of being able to override Obama's veto—as such, they plan to attach language approving the pipeline in a spending bill or other legislation later in the year that the president wouldn’t be able to reject as easily.
TransCanada Corp's pipeline, which has been pending for over six years, would carry 830,000 barrels a day of mostly Canadian oil sands petroleum to refineries and ports along the US Gulf. Obama has long questioned the economic benefits of the project and issued concerns over its environmental impact.
In a response to Congress, Obama said: “Through this bill, the United States Congress attempts to circumvent longstanding and proven processes for determining whether or not building and operating a cross-border pipeline serves the national interest.
“The Presidential power to veto legislation is one I take seriously. But I also take seriously my responsibility to the American people. And because this act of Congress conflicts with established executive branch procedures and cuts short thorough consideration of issues that could bear on our national interest—including our security, safety, and environment—it has earned my veto.”