Durbin: Senate still short a vote for Keystone

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin says approval of the Keystone XL pipeline hangs in the balance in the Senate as the vote count nears the 60 needed to clear a crucial procedural hurdle.

“We were one vote short as we left last week,” the Illinois Democrat said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “I know they’re burning up the phone lines and emails trying to find that vote to support the procedural move.”


The House approved the bill, 252-161, on Friday. And Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) signaled his support for the controversial oil pipeline, bringing the count to 59 in the Senate - one step closer to President Barack Obama’s desk.

The White House has indicated an intent to veto the bill, saying any decision should wait until the State Department completes its environmental impact study, which has been pending for six years.

Republicans want to take away the president’s authority on the matter, Durbin said, adding: “I think the president should use his authority in a timely way so that we can make a decision on this pipeline soon.”