Environment | National | Politics

Congress approves measure to authorize Keystone XL Pipeline






Native youth in South Dakota take a stand against the Keystone XL Pipeline. Photo by Richie Richards / Native Sun News

The House voted 270 to 152 on Wednesday to pass S.1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act.

The Senate already approved the bill so it will be sent to President Barack Obama, who has vowed to veto it. According to news reports, neither the House nor the Senate have enough votes to override a veto.

On the House side, every Republican except one voted for the bill. That included the only two enrolled tribal members in Congress: Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

Tribes oppose the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline due to concerns about its impact on treaty lands, water and the environment.

Get the Story:
Congress clears Keystone XL pipeline bill, setting up veto (AP 2/11)
Keystone XL bill passes House (The Washington Post 2/12)
House Passes Keystone Bill Despite Obama’s Opposition (The New York Times 2/12)

Join the Conversation

Related Stories:
EPA urges another look at emissions from Keystone XL Pipeline (02/04)
Mark Anthony Rolo: Declaration of war against Keystone Pipeline (01/30)
Senate passes bill to approve controversial Keystone XL Pipeline (01/30)
Native Sun News: Tribes ask Obama to deny Keystone XL permit (1/28)
Native Sun News: Native youth take stand against Keystone bid (1/28)
Tara Houska: Respect treaties and reject Keystone XL Pipeline (1/28)
Senate Democrats delay vote on Keystone XL Pipeline measure (1/27)
Jacqueline Keeler: Keystone fight is about more than a pipeline (1/21)
Senate continues debate on bill to approve Keystone XL Pipeline (1/21)
Native Sun News: Tribes continue fight against Keystone Pipeline (01/16)
Judge dismisses case against Lakota activist for honor song (01/13)
Senate headed toward final vote on Keystone XL Pipeline bill (01/13)
Nebraska court upholds law setting Keystone XL Pipeline route (1/9)
Senate committee goes ahead with meeting on Keystone XL bill (1/8)
Senate Democrats force cancellation of hearing on Keystone bill (1/6)
Senate committee to take up Keystone XL Pipeline bill this week (1/5)
Native Sun News: Bales taken at Rosebud Sioux Tribe spirit camp (12/12)
Tribes challenge permit for Keystone XL Pipeline in South Dakota (12/10)
Native Sun News: Crow Creek Sioux man upsets Senate with song (12/4)
Migizi Pensoneau: Sen. Tester betrays our people on Keystone (11/28)
Crystal Willcuts: Keystone XL Pipeline just makes the rich richer (11/24)
Winona LaDuke: No one believes in the 'black snake' pipeline (11/21)
Greg Grey Cloud explains Lakota honor song after Senate vote (11/20)
Crow Creek Sioux man arrested as Senate rejects Keystone bill (11/19)
Rosebud Sioux Tribe slams House vote on Keystone XL Pipeline (11/17)
Tim Giago: The final Indian war in America is about to begin (11/17)
Obama dismisses claimed benefits from Keystone XL Pipeline (11/14)
House heads for vote on bill to approve Keystone XL Pipeline (11/13)
Republican lawmakers vow to approve Keystone XL Pipeline (11/11)
Native Sun News: Sioux tribes intervene in Keystone review (11/11)