The official report states that only “35 permanent jobs” will be created from the construction of the Keystone pipeline. That same report, conducted by the State Department, found the negative impact of the pipeline on the environment could be tremendous. But still, with all this researched evidence staring them in the face, Republicans continue to push, fighting this six year battle to get the pipeline approve.
The 62-36 vote advanced a top priority of the newly empowered GOP, and marked the first time the Senate passed a bill authorizing the pipeline, despite numerous attempts to force President Barack Obama’s hand on the issue. Nine Democrats joined with 53 Republicans to back the measure.
This bill “is an important accomplishment for the country,” said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. “We are hoping the president upon reflection will agree to sign on to a bill that the State Department said could create up to 42,000 jobs and the State Department said creates little to no impact on the environment.”
Still the vote was short of the threshold needed to override a veto, and the legislation still must be reconciled with the version the House passed.
