Posted on 11/14/2014 7:13:33 PM PST by SeekAndFind
On Friday, an overwhelming majority of House members passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) which approved construction of the long-delayed Keystone XL Pipeline. By 252 to 161, the House opted to send the measure to the U.S. Senate, where it will face a vote from the upper chamber next week which could, for the first time, force the president to determine whether to approve or veto the oil transit route.
31 Democratic representatives voted with every Republican member of Congress save Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI), who voted present, to approve construction of the pipeline. It is an indication that the 114th Congress will feature a far rowdier Democratic caucus.
Only seven of the 31 Democrats are not going to be members of the next Congress. 24 House Democrats who voted in favor of the measure will be coming back for the new Congress on January 6.
Among the Democrats who voted in favor of building the pipeline is newly elected Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), brother of New Jersey Democratic Party leader George Norcross, who filled a seat vacated by the resigning Rob Andrews just this week. The congressman representing the city of Camden cast one of his first votes on Friday in favor of constructing the pipeline in spite of the White House’s opposition.
President Barack Obama has threatened to veto the House bill even if it is approved by the Senate next week, a move which could have significant implications for the upcoming December 6 runoff election in Louisiana which will determine if Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) keeps her seat for a fourth term.
The president has placed a variety of obstacles in the way of the construction of Keystone:
His State Department — which must approve the pipeline, since it crosses international borders — is six years into a review of the project. Obama told reporters Friday in Myanmar that his “position hasn’t changed.”
He said the pipeline is still facing a challenge from Nebraska landowners and said he doesn’t think “we should circuit that process.”
“My government believes that we should judge this pipeline based on whether or not it accelerates climate change or whether it helps the American people with their energy costs or their gas prices,” he said.
The U.S. Senate is scheduled to hold a vote on the House bill next Tuesday, but it is not believed that it will receive the 60 votes required for passage. “If Landrieu and Hoeven can’t find a 60th supporter, Republicans plan to try to pass the bill again in January when they control both chambers of Congress,” The Washington Examiner reported.
Whatever happens in the upper chamber, Landrieu is unlikely to be the ultimate beneficiary.
How many democrats in the Senate do we need - 5 or 6?
This is perfect: If the Senate Democrats allow this Bill to be passed, the Obama has 2 Choices #1) Sign the Bill in hopes that it will help Landrieu (it won’t) but he and the left wingers will have lost a political battle and put them out of favor with an interest group or #2) He can VETO it, and Mary Landrieu will be back to square 1 on this issue because she’ll just look like a granstander (like she is), and not effective because SHE KNEW President Obama would probably veto this bill (it would be a safe vote for her in this case with the radical environmental left).
IF OBAMA Choses #1, then Republicans ~should~ push on other issues as well, let’s see how much of our agenda we can get past under Obama’s watch: How about cutting corporate (and yes) Individual taxes next..let’s start with repealing the Death Tax entirely...
I think that Warren Buffett is from Omaha, Nebraska is a interesting fun fact .
He’s a kook. The same cretin who “defended the honor” of the Iranian dictator Ahmanutjob from (of all people) a joke by McCain.
Respectfully , the only climate change I would accept is if you step down from the Office of _residient,
without threat of incarceation . Short of that ,Kiss My Gruber !
You hired him , ..you owned him , and he is the albatross arround your neck
Allahu FUBAR,....FUBO !!
When I saw “my government” it just flew all over me.
And I’m used to some serious eye rolling about anything he says.
But this malignant narcissist needs a firm reminder that it is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Is sure as hell isn’t his!!
What a bastard!!
I’m sick to death of him!!
I love it. Here comes "wrong way Corrigan."
The Obumbler is going to sink his own ship and there isn't a life jacket in site. An apt ending for an obstinate idiot.
Yes, Buffet hails from Omaha.
His monopoly on the oil trains is threatened.
Too bad.
[Zero's] State Department... is six years into a review of the project. Obama told reporters Friday in Myanmar that his “position hasn’t changed.” He said the pipeline is still facing a challenge from Nebraska landowners and said he doesn’t think “we should circuit [sic] that process. My government believes that we should judge this pipeline based on whether or not it accelerates climate change or whether it helps the American people with their energy costs or their gas prices,” he said.IOW, supporting using trucks and trains to transport the oil -- a practice that obviously INCREASES the carbon emissions -- is his position that hasn't changed.
Because he isn’t. He’s a first gen American Arab who supports Islam, just like the rest of the Middle Eastern dhimmi.
Well, that would certainly explain it. I should have caught the name.
The House on Friday passed a bill to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline hours after a Nebraska court ruled in favor of the proposed route. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to be approves. The White House has warned President Obama would veto the legislation. Passage fell largely along party lines, 266-153, with 28 Democrats joining nearly all Republicans in favor. Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) voted "present." That is short of the necessary two-thirds majority needed to override a veto. [House Approves Keystone XL Pipeline]
The House on Friday passed a bill to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline hours after a Nebraska court ruled in favor of the proposed route. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to be approves. The White House has warned President Obama would veto the legislation. Passage fell largely along party lines, 266-153, with 28 Democrats joining nearly all Republicans in favor. Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) voted "present." That is short of the necessary two-thirds majority needed to override a veto. [House Approves Keystone XL Pipeline]
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