The Patriot Post® · Senate GOP Seeking to Override Keystone Veto

Faced with a pledge by Barack Obama to veto any Keystone XL legislation approved by Congress, Republican senators are turning their attention toward solidifying enough votes to nullify a presidential smackdown. According to the Hill, “The Senate has 63 of the 67 votes needed to override a presidential veto on the Keystone XL pipeline, Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) said Sunday.” Hoeven revealed how Republicans plan to lock up those last few remaining votes, telling Fox News Sunday: “Right now we’ve got about 63 [votes], but we’re going to the floor with an open amendment process. We’re trying to foster more bipartisanship, getting the Senate to work the way it’s supposed to work, so we can pass this measure and other measures and either override the veto or attach the bill to other legislation that will get 67 votes.” That sounds an awfully lot like compromise, which was entirely antithetical to former Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Clearly, this gesture also means that lawmakers have an opportunity to add some not-so-rosy provisions and earmarks, but it’s better than letting a pro-jobs bill go to waste. As Hoeven concluded, Obama’s “delayed this project for more than six years. America won World War II in less than six years, so clearly he’s trying to defeat the project with endless delays.” And he’s got nothing to lose, so it’s up to Congress to keep the imperialist’s agenda in check. More…