House Sends Keystone Pipeline Bill to President Obama Despite Veto Threat

Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — The House of Representatives voted in bipartisan fashion on Wednesday to send President Obama legislation that will likely produce his first veto of the new GOP Congress.

By a count of 270-152, lawmakers fell short of what would be required to override a presidential veto of the Keystone Pipeline bill, though 29 Democrats supported the measure.

One Republican, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, opposed the vote.

“When the American people elected Republican majorities in the House and the Senate, Leader McConnell and I promised we would honor their trust and faith by acting swiftly to advance their top priorities, including the Keystone pipeline,” House Speaker John Boehner wrote in a statement following the vote.

“For at least 42,000 Americans, according to the administration’s own estimates, this project would mean the shot at a good-paying job and the ability to provide for their families.  For all of us, it would mean stronger economic growth and a more stable and affordable energy supply to help protect against huge price spikes,” Boehner said. “With hardworking, middle-class families still struggling to get by, that should give the president plenty of cause to reconsider his veto threat and sign this bill into law.”

If President Obama does veto the bill, the Senate will be first to have an opportunity to attempt a veto override.

The House cannot take an override vote unless the Senate successfully bucks the president first, since the legislative vehicle for the pipeline originated in the Senate.

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