Congressional Republicans plan to hold back legislation approving the Keystone XL pipeline to prevent President Obama from vetoing it while lawmakers are away from Washington.
While Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) staged a signing ceremony for the bill on Friday morning, the legislation will not be sent to the White House until after next week’s Presidents Day recess, according to a top Republican aide.
"Keystone isn’t just a pipeline, it’s a lifeline for our construction workers. And the overwhelming majority of the American people know it as well," Boehner said Friday. "So to the president, I would just say this: do the right thing, sign this bill."
Once Obama receives the bill, he will have 10 days, excluding Sundays, to sign or veto it.
Asked about the timeline provided by the aide, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) suggested the bill could be sent to Obama the week of Feb. 23.
"I expect [the bill] will be [at the White House] by the day we’re back,” said McConnell spokesman Don Stewart.
The White House has repeatedly promised that Obama will veto the legislation, arguing the review of the $8 billion project at the State Department should be allowed to run its course.
"The president has been pretty clear that he does not think circumventing a well-established process for evaluating these projects is the right thing for Congress," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said last month.
The State Department just finished collecting comments from agencies on whether the oil sands project is in the nation's best interest, potentially setting the stage for a determination this spring.
Once Secretary of State John Kerry finishes reviewing the comments, he will send a recommendation to Obama, who will make the final decision.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/232765-republicans-thwart-quick-keystone-veto
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