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

The Keystone XL pipeline, a hot-button issue between environmentalists and the energy sector, was denied approval for construction in 2014 by the margin of a single vote, narrowly defeating the largely Republican-supported Senate bill 2280.

Approval of the bill would have allowed TransCanada Keystone Pipeline to construct and operate a pipeline from Canada through the Midwest to Gulf states where refineries wait to receive the pumped-in crude oil.

ALERT: Is Global Warming a Hoax? Vote Now

The bill, introduced by North Dakota Republican Sen. John Hoeven on May 1, 2014, was co-sponsored by had 55 senators.

All 45 Senate Republicans voted for the bill, yet failed to tally enough votes across the aisle in the 59-41 defeat on Nov. 18, 2014. Thirty-nine Democrats and two independents were enough to fail the measure; only 14 Senate Democrats voted in favor of S.2280.

However, while 60 Senate votes would have passed it, the bill would have needed 67 "Yea" votes, a two-thirds majority, to circumvent a probable veto from President Obama.

Indiana was one of the few states from which senators gave it bipartisan support.

Both Indiana senators, Democrat Joe Donnelly and Republican Daniel Coats, also co-sponsors of the bill, expressed their displeasure at the failure of the measure.

VOTE NOW: Are You Concerned About Global Warming?

“As a longtime supporter of the effort to authorize the Keystone XL pipeline, I am disappointed the Senate failed to pass this bipartisan legislation. The Keystone XL pipeline would promote economic competitiveness and energy security for our country, so I will continue working with Democrats and Republicans to push for approval of this commonsense project,” Donnelly said, in a statement.

Sen. Coats found the outcome predictable. “I’m disappointed but not surprised that this bill failed to pass the Senate,” Coats said, in a statement.

“Once again, Senate Democrats blocked passage of this important legislation that would have resulted in new American jobs and increased our energy independence. Passing a Keystone XL pipeline bill will be a top priority of a Republican Senate in 2015,” he continued.

Coats' statement proved prophetic as a new Keystone XL measure was the first order of business in the new year for the Senate, which increased its Republican majority during the November midterm election. While the new legislation gathered more partisan votes and enough to pass, it still fell a few votes short to withstand the presidential veto.

URGENT: Do You Think Global Warming Is a Hoax? Vote Here Now!

Related Stories:

• Global Warming: 5 Arguments For Building the Keystone XL Pipeline
• Global Warming: 5 Arguments Against Building the Keystone XL Pipeline