Reject and Protect: The Cowboy Indian Alliance held a series of protests in Washington, D.C., in April. Everything is Illuminated/Pool Photos
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 63-32 on Monday to begin debate on a bill to authorize the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline. Ten Democrats and one independent joined Republicans in advancing S.1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act. Included were three members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee -- Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana), the ranking member, Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota). Debate is expected to last into next week, according to news reports. The House passed H.R.3, its version of the approval bill, on Friday. President Barack Obama has vowed to veto any Keystone legislation that comes to his desk. Tribes in the U.S. and First Nations in Canada oppose the project due to concerns about treaty territory, water and the environment. Get the Story:
Senate Democrats look to tweak bill on Keystone XL pipeline (AP 1/13)
Senate to Debate Keystone XL, Setting Stage for More Energy Battles (The New York Times 1/13)
Keystone XL debate formally begins in the Senate (The Washington Post 1/12)
Senate advances Keystone bill despite Obama veto threat (AP 1/12)
Is Keystone still necessary as oil, gasoline prices dip? (AP 1/12) An Opinion:
Editorial: Return the Keystone XL issue to reality (The Washington Post 1/11) Nebraska Supreme Court Decision:
Thompson v. Heineman (January 9, 2015)
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