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Senate Fails to Override Obama's Keystone XL Veto

As expected, proponents of the project were not able to reach the veto-override threshold of 67 votes.
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The Senate has failed to override the president’s veto of a bill approving the Keystone XL pipeline.

As expected, proponents of the project were not able to reach the veto-override threshold of 67 votes on Wednesday. Sixty-two senators supported the measure, including all Republicans and eight Democrats. Thirty-seven Democrats opposed it.

President Barack Obama vetoed the legislation on February 24, marking his third use of the veto pen during his tenure.

The White House says that it is waiting on a final review from the State Department about whether the pipeline is in the national interest.

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Backers of the project say that it would create jobs and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil; opponents say it could cause major environmental damage.

The vote was originally scheduled for Thursday, but it was moved to Wednesday as yet more wintry weather threatened the East Coast.

- Frank Thorp V and Carrie Dann