How Did Idaho Senators Vote in Narrow Defeat of Keystone XL Pipeline?

The Keystone XL pipeline was denied congressional approval for construction in 2014 by the margin of a single Senate vote, narrowly defeating Senate bill 2280 in what turned out to be a mostly partisan turnout.

Approval of the bill would have allowed TransCanada Keystone Pipeline to construct and operate a pipeline from Canada through the Midwest to waiting Gulf Coast refineries for the crude oil that's pumped down from the Canadian tar sands.

According to a complete Senate roll call, 59 members voted yes on the measure, S.2280, and 41 voted no. Of those "Yea" votes, 45 were cast by Republicans and 14 by Democrats. Of those voting "Nay," 39 were Democrats and two were independents.

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The measure failed because it did not garner 60 votes, but it would have needed at least 67 votes in favor of the bill, a two-thirds majority, to avoid a likely presidential veto.

Idaho Republican Sens. Michael Crapo and Jim Risch co-signed and voted in favor of North Dakota Republican Sen. John Hoeven's bill during Congress's 113th session.

In a joint statement, the Idaho Republicans bumped up the pressure on Democrats in an effort to pass the ultimately failed legislation.

“The Keystone XL pipeline is the kind of project America really needs. It would employ thousands of workers and be paid for by the private sector, rather than our tax dollars. This vote is long overdue and I am disappointed that Democrats have blocked this project, using government power to once again frustrate the creation of jobs in the private sector,” said Risch.

“If eventually approved, the Keystone project will provide a significant economic boost to our country, creating thousands of jobs and providing needed tax revenue to states along its route. When completed, the project will also help North America increase its energy security by reducing reliance on foreign resources from volatile countries and regions around the globe. The Administration’s own State Department has confirmed that the development of this resource should have no meaningful impact on the environment and is the safest way to transport the oil,” Crapo said.

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