Keystone XL Pipeline bill is four votes shy of overcoming veto Obama promises, sponsor says

Supporters of a bill to approve the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline say they lack the necessary votes to avoid a veto that the White House said today will come if the bill reaches President Obama's desk. In November the Democratic-led Senate defeated a Keystone XL Pipeline bill, but it is expected to pass with Republicans in control of the Senate.

Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.Dak.) said the legislation he plans to submit today has 63 votes—enough to pass the Senate—but is four votes shy of what's needed to override a presidential veto, Laura Litvan reports for Bloomberg News. Hoeven said Republicans hope to add Democratic support for the bill during debates.

"Keystone will be the first legislative showdown as Republicans (today) take control of both the House and Senate for the first time since 2006," Litvan writes. "A Senate committee is scheduled to consider Hoeven’s bill Wednesday and vote Thursday with action by the full Senate as soon as next week. The House is expected to vote on a similar Keystone bill this week." (Read more)