Democrats are blocking immediate Senate debate on a measure that would approve the building of the Keystone X-L pipeline. That sets up a test vote for next week that the bill is expected to clear easily.
The House is planning to pass its own version of the bill tomorrow. The first piece of legislation from the Republican-controlled Senate is headed for a threatened White House veto, and neither side appears to be backing down today.
The new energy committee chairman, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, urged colleagues not to be deterred by the veto threat. She reminded them that the bill fell just one vote shy of Senate approval when Democrats controlled the chamber last year.
This time, the bill already has enough support to overcome a filibuster: 54 Republicans and six Democrats are sponsors. But supporters acknowledge they remain short of the numbers that would be needed to overcome a veto. They're already discussing other means to get the pipeline approved. (AP)
