WASHINGTON – Last week Congress took up legislation that would authorize the Keystone XL pipeline to cross the United States-Canadian border. H.R. 3, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act, passed 266-153.

On Jan. 8, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved a similar measure, S. 1, introduced by North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell brought S. 1 to the full Senate for debate on Friday with a cloture vote on the motion to proceed scheduled for tonight.  “Unfortunately, some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to block our effort to even get on the bill, and therefore the cloture vote on Monday is required,” McConnell commented on Friday.

Also last week, the Nebraska Supreme Court upheld the state’s approval of the current Keystone XL pipeline route through the state. However, the decision “will not immediately lead to the White House committing to a timeframe for the project,” writes The Hill, adding that the administration had cited the pending Nebraska litigation as one reason why the State Department could not complete its review of the pipeline construction project.

“Today’s court decision wipes out President Obama’s last excuse,” Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski said. “He’s had six years to approve a project that will increase U.S. energy supplies and create closer ties with our nearest ally and neighbor, and he’s refused to act. Regardless of whatever new excuse he may come up with, Congress is moving forward.”