Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Congressional research reportJun 7, 2019
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Congressional Roll Call Votes on the
Keystone XL Pipeline
Lynn J. Cunningham
Senior Research Librarian
Updated June 7, 2019
Congressional Research Service
7-....
www.crs.gov
R43870
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Summary
TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL Pipeline would transport oil sands crude from Canada and
shale oil produced in North Dakota and Montana to a market hub in Nebraska for further delivery
to Gulf Coast refineries. The pipeline would consist of 880 miles of 36-inch pipe with the
capacity to transport 830,000 barrels per day.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) receives frequent requests for congressional votes
taken on Keystone XL Pipeline legislation. This report provides roll call vote data on Keystone
XL Pipeline legislation identified by CRS using CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database as well
as the Congress.gov legislative database.
Roll call votes listed in the tables are broken down by chamber, Congress, and type of
legislation—substantive votes (i.e., votes on amendments or passage of bills) versus procedural
votes (e.g., votes to recommit the bill to a committee or to provide for the consideration of a bill).
Votes are also listed in chronological order for each Congress.
This report is current through April 2019 (116th Congress) and will be updated as events warrant.
Congressional Research Service
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
House Roll Call Votes: 112th Congress-Present ............................................................................... 1
Senate Roll Call Votes: 112th Congress-Present ............................................................................. 11
Tables
Table 1. House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-112th Congress...................................... 1
Table 2. Procedural House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-112th Congress ................... 4
Table 3. House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-113th Congress...................................... 5
Table 4. Procedural House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-113th Congress ................... 8
Table 5. House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-114th Congress...................................... 9
Table 6. Procedural House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-114th Congress ................. 10
Table 7. Senate Record Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-112th Congress ....................................... 11
Table 8. Senate Record Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-113th Congress ...................................... 12
Table 9. Senate Record Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-114th Congress ...................................... 13
Table 10. Procedural Senate Record Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-114th Congress .................. 24
Contacts
Author Contact Information .......................................................................................................... 26
Congressional Research Service
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Introduction
TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL Pipeline would transport oil sands crude from Canada and
shale oil produced in North Dakota and Montana to a market hub in Nebraska for further delivery
to Gulf Coast refineries. The pipeline would consist of 880 miles1 of 36-inch pipe with the
capacity to transport 830,000 barrels per day.2
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) receives frequent requests for congressional votes
taken on Keystone XL Pipeline legislation. This report provides roll call vote data on Keystone
XL Pipeline legislation identified by CRS using CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database as well
as the Congress.gov legislative database.
Roll call votes listed in the following tables are broken down by chamber, Congress, and type of
legislation—substantive votes (i.e., votes on amendments or passage of bills) versus procedural
votes (e.g., votes to recommit the bill to a committee or to provide for the consideration of a bill).
Votes are also listed in chronological order for each Congress. No Keystone XL roll call votes
have been recorded in the House or Senate since March 2015.
House Roll Call Votes: 112th Congress-Present
According to both CQ.com and Congress.gov, the House of Representatives first introduced
Keystone XL Pipeline legislation in the 112th Congress. The first recorded votes in the House also
took place in that Congress.
Table 1. House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-112th Congress
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
H.Amdt. 720 to H.R.
1938
Amendment sought to add language describing
an environmental finding, which states that the
Keystone XL Pipeline would run through the
Ogallala Aquifer and which would explain the
risks involved with the proposed route.
Roll no. 640
Failed (164-260)
7/26/2011
H.Amdt. 721 to H.R.
1938
Amendment sought to strike paragraph 15 of
the findings section, which says that analysis
using EPA models shows that the Keystone XL
Pipeline will result in no significant change in
total U.S. or global greenhouse gas emissions.
Roll no. 641
Failed (164-261)
7/26/2011
1 According to TransCanada’s 2008 permit application, the original proposal for the Keystone XL Pipeline system
consisted of a 1,700-mile pipeline running from Alberta, Canada to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast
Project was proposed as the southern segment of the Keystone XL Pipeline system, but it was separated from the
original proposal because it did not require a presidential permit. The Gulf Coast Pipeline was completed in 2013 and
began service in 2014.
2 For more information about the Keystone XL Pipeline, see CRS Report R43787, Keystone XL Pipeline: Overview and
Recent Developments, by Paul W. Parfomak et al.
Congressional Research Service
1
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
H.Amdt. 722 to H.R.
1938
Amendment sought to include a finding stating
that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA) Administrator
testified at a congressional hearing and said
that PHMSA had not done a study analyzing
the risks associated with transporting diluted
bitumen. The amendment also sought to
require PHMSA to complete a review of the
risks associated with transporting diluted
bitumen, and whether current pipeline
regulations are sufficient.
Roll no. 642
Failed (163-264)
7/26/2011
H.Amdt. 724 to H.R.
1938
Amendment sought to strike language in the
findings section of the bill describing the
pipeline’s safety standards and replace it with
language declaring that another pipeline
operated by the applicant has leaked more
than a dozen times in the United States and 21
times in Canada in less than one year of
operation.
Roll no. 643
Failed (155-272)
7/26/2011
H.Amdt. 725 to H.R.
1938
Amendment sought to strike language in the
findings section of the bill declaring that
increased Canadian exports of oil to China
would increase U.S. reliance on oil from other
foreign sources, especially the Middle East. The
amendment would replace it with language
that would highlight conclusions by Canadian
oil consultants saying the pipeline would allow
crude oil from the Canadian tar-sands to be
exported to other countries, particularly
China.
Roll no. 644
Failed (152-275)
7/26/2011
H.Amdt. 726 to H.R.
1938
Amendment sought to allow for 120 days after
the final environmental impact statement or no
later than January 1, 2012, for the President to
issue a final decision on the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Roll no. 645
Failed (161-265)
7/26/2011
H.Amdt. 727 to H.R.
1938
Amendment sought to allow a presidential
permit approving the pipeline to be issued only
if the applicant has received a certification
from the Energy Secretary and the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
stating that the applicant is prepared to
respond to a “worst-case oil spill scenario."
Roll no. 646
Failed (168-260)
7/26/2011
H.Amdt. 728 to H.R.
1938
Amendment sought to require a study on the
health impacts of increased air pollution in
communities surrounding the refineries that
will process oil transported through the
proposed Keystone XL Pipeline before any
approval of the pipeline could be granted.
Roll no. 647
Failed (163-263)
7/26/2011
Congressional Research Service
2
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
H.Amdt. 730 to H.R.
1938
Amendment sought to block the President
from issuing or denying a permit for the
pipeline until the Energy Secretary, in
consultation with the Federal Trade
Commission, certified that permitting of the
pipeline would not lead to manipulation of the
U.S. oil market.
Roll. no. 648
Failed (164-261)
7/26/2011
H.R. 1938
Passage of the bill that would require the
Administration to make a permitting decision
on the Keystone XL Pipeline within 30 days
after the final environmental impact statement
is issued or by November 1, whichever is
earlier. It would direct the President, working
through the Energy Secretary, to coordinate
with federal agencies to make sure necessary
review stages are expedited.
Roll no. 650
Passed (279-147)
7/26/2011
H.R. 3630
In part, the bill would require the President to
approve the Keystone XL Pipeline permit
application within 60 days of the bill’s
enactment unless it is determined that the
pipeline is not in the national interest.
Roll no. 923
Passed (234-193)
12/13/2011
H.Res. 501
In part, the resolution expresses the sense of
the House that any final measure to extend
the payroll tax holiday, extend federally funded
unemployment insurance benefits, or prevent
decreases in reimbursement for physicians
who provide care to Medicare beneficiaries
should include final approval of the Keystone
XL oil pipeline.
Roll no. 949
Passed (226-185)
12/20/2011
H.Amdt. 932 to H.R.
3408
Amendment sought to require the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission to review the
results of the PHMSA study, as required by the
bipartisan pipeline safety bill (P.L. 112-90),
before issuing a permit for the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Roll no. 55
Failed (173-249)
2/15/2012
H.Amdt. 933 to H.R.
3408
Amendment sought to ensure that if the
Keystone XL Pipeline is built, the oil that it
transports to the Gulf of Mexico and the fuels
made from that oil remain in this country for
use in domestic commerce. The amendment
allows the President to waive this requirement
if it can be shown that an export of the oil or
fuels will not increase U.S. dependence on oil
or fuels the United States buys from hostile
nations; and that prices for refiners and
consumers will not go up if the export occurs;
or if an export is needed to comply with any
international treaties or other U.S. agreements
to export oil or fuels.
Roll no. 56
Failed (173-254)
2/15/2012
Congressional Research Service
3
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
H.Amdt. 934 to H.R.
3408
Amendment sought to prohibit the issuance of
a permit absent conditions that restrict the
ability of the permit recipient from initiating or
threatening to initiate proceedings to invoke
the power of eminent domain against the will
of a property’s owner for the purposes of
constructing or operating the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Roll no. 57
Failed (149-276)
2/15/2012
H.Amdt. 935 to H.R.
3408
Amendment sought to require that a permit
for the Keystone XL Pipeline is not to be
issued or deemed issued unless the permit
applicant can certify and provide adequate
documentation to Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) that at least 75% of the
iron and steel to be used in domestic portion
of the pipeline is produced in North America.
Roll no. 58
Failed (193-234)
2/15/2012)
H.R. 3408
Passage of the bill would, in part, provide for
approval of the 1,700-mile Keystone XL
Pipeline and shift permitting authority for the
project from the State Department to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Roll no. 71
Passed (237-187)
2/16/2012
H.R. 4348
Passage of the bill to extend the authorization
for surface transportation programs would, in
part, transfer authority to approve the
Keystone XL pipeline project from the State
Department to the FERC, which would be
required to issue the permit within 30 days of
receiving an application.
Roll no. 170
Passed (293-127)
4/18/2012
Source: Congress.gov; CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database.
Table 2. Procedural House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-112th Congress
Bill/Amendment
No.
H.Res. 370
Vote Summary
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R.
1938) to direct the President to expedite the
consideration and approval of the construction
and operation of the Keystone XL oil pipeline,
and for other purposes.
Congressional Research Service
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Roll no. 637
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
Passed (246-171)
7/26/2011
4
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
H.R. 1938
Motion to recommit the bill to the Energy and
Commerce Committee with instructions that
it be reported back immediately with an
amendment that would direct the President to
ensure federal agencies take any feasible step
to prevent an increase in gas prices and limit
seizures of American farm and ranch land. It
also would add language to the findings section
of the bill declaring that the applicant has
threatened to condemn the land of farmers
and ranchers along the pipeline route and has
projected that the pipeline will increase oil
prices.
Roll no. 649
Failed (181-248)
7/26/2011
H.R. 3630
Motion to disagree with the Senate
amendments and request a conference on a
bill (H.R. 3630) that would, in part, require the
President to approve the Keystone XL oil
pipeline within 60 days of the bill’s enactment
unless he certifies that doing so is not in the
national interest.
Roll no. 946
Passed (229-193)
12/20/2011
H.R. 4348
Motion to instruct House conferees to insist
on House-passed provisions that would
transfer authority to approve the Keystone XL
Pipeline project from the State Department to
FERC, and provide that if FERC does not
approve the pipeline within 30 days that it be
deemed approved.
Roll no. 292
Passed (261-152)
5/18/2012
Source: Congress.gov; CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database.
Table 3. House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-113th Congress
Bill/Amendment
No.
H.Amdt. 66 to H.R. 3
Vote Summary
Amendment sought to add language to the
findings section of the bill regarding the impact
of the Keystone XL Pipeline on the
development of crude oil, the projected
increase in greenhouse gases, the impact to
land and water resources, an assessment of
the spill risk, and the projected safety of the
pipeline.
Congressional Research Service
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Roll no. 169
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
Passed (246-168)
5/22/2013
5
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
H.Amdt. 67 to H.R. 3
Amendment sought to add a finding that the
reliance on oil sands crudes for transportation
fuels would likely result in an increase in
incremental greenhouse gas emissions in the
United States equivalent to approximately that
of 4.3 million passenger vehicles. The
amendment also sought to provide that the bill
would not go into effect unless the President
found that TransCanada or oil sands
producers could fully offset the additional
greenhouse gas emissions produced annually.
Roll no. 170
Failed (146-269)
5/22/2013
H.Amdt. 68 to H.R. 3
Amendment sought to prohibit final approval
and construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline
until a study of the health impacts of increased
air pollution in communities surrounding the
refineries has been completed.
Roll no. 171
Failed (177-239)
5/22/2013
H.Amdt. 69 to H.R. 3
Amendment sought to require that the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration, in consultation with the
Department of Homeland Security, conduct a
study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL
Pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that
necessary protections have been put in place.
Roll no. 172
Failed (176-239)
5/22/2013
H.Amdt. 70 to H.R. 3
Amendment sought to strike Section 3 of the
bill (Keystone XL Permit Approval), which
states that the Keystone XL Pipeline does not
require a permit to cross the international
border between Canada and the United States.
Roll no. 173
Failed (177-238)
5/22/2013
H.Amdt. 71 to H.R. 3
Amendment sought to remove the mandate to
allow one specifically named company
[TransCanada] “to never receive appropriate
oversight through the permit process for
operation and/or maintenance—in perpetuity,
while allowing construction permit fast-track.”
Roll no. 174
Failed (182-234)
5/22/2013
H.Amdt. 72 to H.R. 3
Amendment sought to lengthen the time
period for a person to file a claim against
pipeline operators from 60 days to one year.
Roll no. 175
Failed (182-234)
5/22/2013
H.Amdt. 73 to H.R. 3
Amendment sought to require the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) to
conduct a study and prepare a report of the
Keystone XL Pipeline to determine the total
projected costs of pipeline spill cleanup,
including the potential impacts of a petroleum
spill on public health and the environment and
the quantity and quality of water available for
agricultural and municipal purposes.
Roll. no. 176
Failed (185-231)
5/22/2103
H.Amdt. 75 to H.R. 3
Amendment sought to require that all oil and
refined fuels transported through the
Keystone XL Pipeline be used in the United
States and not exported, unless the President
finds that an exception is required by law or in
the national interest.
Roll no. 177
Failed (162-255)
5/22/2013
Congressional Research Service
6
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
H.R. 3
Passage of the bill sought to declare that a
Presidential permit is not required for approval
of the Keystone XL Pipeline’s northern route
from the Canadian border through Nebraska.
Under the bill, environmental impact
statements issued to date would be considered
sufficient to satisfy all requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act and the
National Historic Preservation Act, and the
Interior Department and the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers would be deemed to have granted
all the necessary permits. It would grant the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia exclusive jurisdiction regarding
pipeline legal disputes. Claims would have to
be brought within 60 days of the action that
gives rise to the claim. As amended it would
require TransCanada to submit its oil spill
response plan and any updates to the
governors of each state where the pipeline
operates.
Roll no. 179
Passed (241-175)
5/22/2013
H.R. 2
Passage of the bill that would allow for
construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline and
require that more federal lands and offshore
areas be made available each year for oil and
gas leasing. It also would streamline the
process for approving drilling permits and limit
the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's)
ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions
from fossil-fueled power plants under the
Clean Air Act. It would prohibit the EPA from
finalizing energy-related regulations estimated
to cost more than $1 billion if the Energy
Department determines that the regulations
will cause significant adverse effects to the
economy. It would block federal rules related
to hydraulic fracturing for natural gas and set
statutory deadlines for FERC and other federal
agencies to act when considering certification
or permits for the construction or expansion
of natural gas pipelines. It also would require
the Energy Department to expedite decisions
on applications to export liquefied natural gas
and establish a new system for the approval
and permitting of oil and gas pipelines and
electrical transmission lines that cross the U.S.
border into Canada and Mexico.
Roll no. 515
Passed (226-191)
9/18/2014
Congressional Research Service
7
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
H.R. 5682
Vote Summary
Passage of the bill sought to immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline,
including any revision to the pipeline route
within Nebraska as required or authorized by
the state. It also would consider the January
2014 environmental impact statement issued
by the State Department sufficient to satisfy all
requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. It
also would grant the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction
regarding legal disputes over the pipeline or
the constitutionality of the bill.
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Roll No. 519
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
Passed (252-161)
11/14/2014
Source: Congress.gov; CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database.
Table 4. Procedural House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-113th Congress
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
H.Res. 228
Motion to order the previous question (thus
ending debate and the possibility of
amendment) on the rule (H.Res. 228) that
would provide for House floor consideration
of the bill (H.R. 3) that would declare a
Presidential permit is not required for approval
of the Keystone XL Pipeline’s northern route
from the Canadian border through Nebraska.
Roll no. 167
Passed (223-194)
5/22/2013
H.Res. 228
Adoption of the rule (H.Res. 228) that would
provide for House floor consideration of the
bill (H.R. 3) that would declare a Presidential
permit is not required for approval of the
Keystone XL Pipeline’s northern route from
the Canadian border through Nebraska.
Roll no. 168
Passed (228-185)
5/22/2013
H.R. 3
Motion to recommit the bill to the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
and report it back immediately with an
amendment that would require TransCanada
to pay for cleanup of oil spills on U.S. soil.
Roll no.178
Failed (194-223)
5/22/2013
Congressional Research Service
8
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
H.Res. 748
Adoption of the rule (H.Res. 748) that sought
to provide for House floor consideration of a
bill (H.R. 5682) to immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline,
including any revision to the pipeline route
within Nebraska as required or authorized by
the state. It also would consider sufficient the
January 2014 environmental impact statement
issued by the State Department to satisfy all
requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. It
also would grant the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction
regarding legal disputes over the pipeline or
the constitutionality of this bill.
Roll no. 517
Passed (233-185)
11/13/2014
H.R. 5682
Motion to recommit the bill to the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
and report it back immediately with an
amendment that would require that oil
transported by the TransCanada Keystone
Pipeline be considered crude oil for the
purposes of determining its contributions to
the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
Roll no. 518
Failed (192-224)
11/14/2014
Source: Congress.gov; CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database.
Table 5. House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-114th Congress
Bill/Amendment
No.
H.R. 3
Vote Summary
Passage of the bill sought to immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline,
including any revision to the pipeline route
within Nebraska as required or authorized by
the state. It also would consider the January
2014 environmental impact statement issued
by the State Department sufficient to satisfy all
requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. It
also would grant the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction
regarding legal disputes over the pipeline or
the constitutionality of the bill.
Congressional Research Service
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Roll no. 16
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
Passed (266-153)
1/9/2015
9
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
S. 1
Vote Summary
Passage of the bill that would immediately
allow TransCanada to construct, connect,
operate, and maintain the pipeline and crossborder facilities known as the Keystone XL
Pipeline, including any revision to the pipeline
route within Nebraska as required or
authorized by the state. It also would consider
the January 2014 environmental impact
statement issued by the State Department
sufficient to satisfy all requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act and the
Endangered Species Act. It would grant the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia exclusive jurisdiction regarding legal
disputes over the pipeline or the
constitutionality of the bill. It would express
the sense of the Congress that climate change
is real.
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Roll no. 75
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
Passed (270-152)
2/11/2015
Source: Congress.gov; CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database.
Table 6. Procedural House Roll Call Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-114th Congress
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
H.Res. 19
Motion to order the previous question (thus
ending debate and possibility of amendment)
on the rule (H.Res. 19) that would provide for
House floor consideration on the bill (H.R. 3)
that would allow for the construction of the
cross-border Keystone XL Pipeline.
Roll no. 11
Passed (240-180)
1/8/2015
H.Res. 19
Adoption of the rule (H.Res. 19) that would
provide for House floor consideration of the
bill (H.R. 3) that would allow for the
construction of the cross-border Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Roll no. 12
Passed (244-181)
1/8/2015
H.R. 3
Motion to recommit the bill to the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
and report it back immediately with an
amendment that would require TransCanada
Keystone Pipeline, L.P., to certify to the
President that diluted bitumen and other
materials derived from oil sands transported
through the Keystone XL Pipeline will be
treated as crude oil for the purposes of
determining contributions for the Oil Spill
Liability Trust Fund.
Roll no. 15
Failed (180-237)
1/9/2015
Congressional Research Service
10
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
House Roll
Call Vote
No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
H.Res. 100
Motion to order the previous question (thus
ending debate and possibility of amendment)
on the rule (H.Res. 100) that would provide
for House floor consideration of the bill that
would immediately allow TransCanada to
construct, connect, operate, and maintain the
pipeline and cross-border facilities known as
the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Roll no. 71
Passed (242-183)
2/11/2015
H.Res. 100
Adoption of the rule (H.Res. 100) that would
provide for House floor consideration of the
bill to immediately allow TransCanada to
construct, connect, operate, and maintain the
pipeline and cross-border facilities known as
the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Roll no. 72
Passed (248-177)
2/11/2015
S. 1
Motion to commit the bill to the House
Energy and Commerce Committee with
instructions to report it back immediately with
an amendment that would require
TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P., to certify
to the President that diluted bitumen and
other materials derived from tar sands
transported through the Keystone XL Pipeline
will be treated as crude oil for the purposes of
determining contributions for the Oil Spill
Liability Trust Fund.
Roll no. 74
Failed (181-241)
2/11/2015
Source: Congress.gov; CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database.
Senate Roll Call Votes: 112th Congress-Present
Similar to the House of Representatives, both CQ.com and Congress.gov indicate that the Senate
first introduced Keystone XL Pipeline legislation during the 112th Congress. The chamber’s first
recorded votes on Keystone XL took place in that Congress as well.
Table 7. Senate Record Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-112th Congress
Bill/Amendment
No.
S.Amdt. 1537 to S.
1813
Vote Summary
Amendment sought to provide for approval of
the Keystone XL Pipeline between Canada and
the United States. It would require that the
route for the pipeline in Nebraska be
submitted by the state of Nebraska. It also
would provide for certain environmental
protections.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Congressional Research Service
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote no. 34
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
Failed (56-42)
3/8/2012
11
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt. 1817 to S.
1813
Amendment sought to prohibit the export of
crude oil transported by the Keystone XL
Pipeline and related facilities unless the
prohibition is waived by the President, and
require the use of U.S. iron, steel and
manufactured goods in the construction of the
pipeline, with certain exceptions.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 33
Failed (33-65)
3/8/2012
S.Amdt. 1826 to S.
1813
Amendment sought to extend energy tax
credit programs, excluding the production
credit and the stimulus grant program that
expired in 2011. It also would approve the
Keystone XL Pipeline and expand oil and gas
drilling in new areas, including the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Provisions
would be partially offset by extending the
federal employee pay freeze through 2013.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes
Vote no. 38
Failed (41-57)
3/13/2012
Source: Congress.gov; CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database.
Table 8. Senate Record Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-113th Congress
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt. 622 to
S.Con.Res. 8
Amendment sought to create a deficit-neutral
reserve fund to allow for legislation to provide
for an analysis of the impact of approving the
Keystone XL Pipeline, including whether it
would raise oil prices, harm domestic energy
security, use material not manufactured in the
United States or adversely affect individual
property rights, job creation or national
security.
Vote no. 60
Failed (33-66)
3/22/21013
S.Amdt. 494 to
S.Con.Res. 8
Amendment sought to create a deficit-neutral
reserve fund to allow for legislation that would
provide for the approval and construction of
the Keystone XL Pipeline as long as the
legislation’s costs are offset without raising
revenue.
Vote no. 61
Passed (62-37)
3/22/2013
Congressional Research Service
12
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
S. 2280
Vote Summary
Passage of the bill would immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline,
including any revision to the pipeline route
within Nebraska as required or authorized by
the state. The 2014 environmental impact
statement issued by the State Department
would be declared sufficient to satisfy all
requirements for review under the National
Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered
Species Act. It would grant the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia exclusive
jurisdiction regarding legal disputes over the
pipeline or the constitutionality of the bill.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
passage of the bill to 60 votes.
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote no. 280
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
Failed (59-41)
11/18/2014
Source: Congress.gov; CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database.
Table 9. Senate Record Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-114th Congress
Bill/Amendment
No.
S.Amdt.3 to S.1
Vote Summary
Amendment no. 3 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 3 would
direct the General Services Administration to
establish best practices regarding energyefficiency in commercial real estate buildings,
including those that house federal agencies. It
would require the GSA to incorporate energyefficiency standards into its building leasing
program for federal agencies. It also would
establish a Tenant Star program to recognize
energy-efficient tenants in commercial spaces.
The substitute amendment would immediately
allow TransCanada to construct, connect,
operate, and maintain the pipeline and crossborder facilities known as the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Congressional Research Service
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote no. 6
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
Passed (94-5)
1/20/2015
13
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt.33 to S.1
Amendment no. 33 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 33 would
cap legal fees on Endangered Species Act
lawsuits. It would apply existing federal judicial
standards in awarding costs to prevailing
parties. The substitute amendment would
immediately allow TransCanada to construct,
connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline
and cross-border facilities known as the
Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 7
Failed (54-45)
1/21/2015
S. Amdt.69 to S.1
Amendment no. 69 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 69 would
bar the underlying measure from taking effect
until the EPA, in consultation with the
Transportation Department, establishes
guidelines on the storage and transportation of
petroleum coke relating to the protection of
the public health and environment. It also
would remove exemptions for petroleum
coke, a byproduct of the oil refining process,
under the 1980 Superfund law. The substitute
amendment would immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 8
Failed (41-58)
1/21/2015
S.Amdt.41 to S.1
Amendment no. 41 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 41 would
exempt power plants that burn coal waste
from an EPA rule on general emission
limitations issued in August, 2011 or any
subsequent rule on the matter. The substitute
amendment would immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 9
Failed (54-45)
1/21/2015
Congressional Research Service
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Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt.29 to S.1
Amendment no. 29 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 29 would
express the sense of the Senate that climate
change is real. The substitute amendment
would immediately allow TransCanada to
construct, connect, operate, and maintain the
pipeline and cross-border facilities known as
the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 10
Passed (98-1)
1/21/2015
S.Amdt.87 to S.1
Amendment no. 87 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 87, as
modified, would express the sense of the
Senate that climate change is real and insert
findings that the construction of the Keystone
XL Pipeline would not have a significant impact
on the environment. The substitute
amendment would immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no.11
Failed (59-40)
1/21/2015
S.Amdt.58 to S.1
Amendment no. 58 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 58 would
express the sense of the Senate that climate
change is real and that human activity
significantly contributes to it. The substitute
amendment would immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 12
Failed (50-49)
1/21/2015
S.Amdt.113 to S.1
Amendment no. 113 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 113 would
express the sense of Congress that public land
designations economically benefit local and
regional communities. It would also express
that designations of federally protected land
should continue where appropriate and with
consultation by local communities, elected
leaders and stakeholders. The substitute
amendment would immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 13
Failed (55-44)
1/22/2015
Congressional Research Service
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Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt.18 to S.1
Amendment no. 18, as modified, to the
substitute amendment no. 2. Amendment no.
18 would limit the designation of new federally
protected land. It would require the Interior
Secretary to consider whether the new
protected land would have a negative impact
on the administration of existing protected
lands and that sufficient management resources
are available. The amendment would not apply
to congressionally-designated protected land
or land acquisitions authorized by Congress.
The substitute amendment would immediately
allow TransCanada to construct, connect,
operate, and maintain the pipeline and crossborder facilities known as the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no.14
Failed (54-45)
1/22/2015
S.Amdt.71 to S.1
Amendment no. 71 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 71 would
overhaul the process for issuing drilling
permits. It would require the Interior
Secretary to provide a decision on whether to
issue permits within 30 days after receiving
applications, unless the applicant is given
specific written notice of an extension.
Applications would be considered approved if
a decision or extension has not been made
within 60 days, unless existing environmental
reviews are incomplete. After 180 days, the
application would be considered to have no
significant impact on the environment and not
likely to jeopardize endangered or threatened
species. If a permit is denied, the amendment
would require the Interior Department to
provide specific reasons for denial and allow
applicants to resubmit applications within 10
days. Permit denials would not be subject to
judicial review. The substitute amendment
would immediately allow TransCanada to
construct, connect, operate, and maintain the
pipeline and cross-border facilities known as
the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote No. 17
Failed (51-47)
1/22/2015
Congressional Research Service
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Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt.123 to S.1
Amendment no. 123 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 123 would
express the sense of the Senate that Congress
should approve a bill to ensure that all forms
of bitumen or synthetic crude oil, also known
as oil sands, are subject to the excise tax
associated with the Oil Spill Liability Trust
Fund. It would also express that it is necessary
for Congress to approve a bill because in 2011
the IRS determined that certain petroleum is
not subject to the excise tax. It would urge the
House of Representatives to consider and
refer legislation to the Senate clarifying that all
forms of bitumen or synthetic crude oil are
subject to the excise tax. The substitute
amendment would immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 18
Passed (75-23)
1/22/2015
S.Amdt.27 to S.1
Amendment no. 27 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 27 would
classify oil sands as crude oil for excise tax
purposes. The substitute amendment would
immediately allow TransCanada to construct,
connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline
and cross-border facilities known as the
Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 19
Failed (50-47)
1/22/2015
S.Amdt.78 to S.1
Amendment no. 78, as modified, to the
substitute amendment no. 2. Amendment no.
78 would express the sense of the Senate that
the November 2014 U.S.-China greenhouse
gas emissions agreement is economically unfair
and environmentally irresponsible and has no
force and effect. The amendment would note
that such international agreements require the
advice and consent of the Senate and urge that
the United States not sign any agreement that
would result in serious economic harm or
impose disparate greenhouse gas
commitments for the United States and other
countries. The substitute amendment would
immediately allow TransCanada to construct,
connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline
and cross-border facilities known as the
Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 20
Failed (51-46)
1/22/2015
Congressional Research Service
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Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt.126 to S.1
Amendment no. 126, as modified, to the
substitute amendment no. 2. Amendment no.
126 would clarify that private land or an
interest in private land for the Keystone XL
Pipeline and facilities may only be acquired
consistent with the U.S. Constitution. The
substitute amendment would immediately
allow TransCanada to construct, connect,
operate, and maintain the pipeline and crossborder facilities known as the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Vote no. 21
Passed (64-33)
1/22/2015
S.Amdt.72 to S.1
Amendment no. 72, as modified, to the
substitute amendment no. 2. Amendment no.
72 would prohibit the use of eminent domain
for Trans-Canada to acquire private land for
the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline
and facilities. The substitute amendment would
immediately allow TransCanada to construct,
connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline
and cross-border facilities known as the
Keystone XL Pipeline.
Vote no. 22
Failed (43-54)
1/22/2015
S.Amdt.75 to S.1
Amendment no. 75 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 75 would
require the President to provide an analysis of
potential health risks to communities that rely
on drinking water from a source that may be
affected by an oil sands spill from the Keystone
XL Pipeline. A governor of the affected state
could petition the President that the pipeline
not be located in the affected locality. Property
owners of water wells tapped into an aquifer
above the pipeline could also sue for damages
if their wells were contaminated by the
pipeline. The substitute amendment would
immediately allow TransCanada to construct,
connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline
and cross-border facilities known as the
Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no.31
Failed (36-62)
1/28/2015
Congressional Research Service
18
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt.70 to S.1
Amendment no. 70 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 70 would
prohibit construction of the Keystone XL
Pipeline until PHMSA certifies that the agency
has sufficient resources to carry out duties for
pipelines in the Great Lakes. The amendment
would also require PHMSA to conduct a study
and submit to Congress recommendations for
any special conditions for pipelines in the
Great Lakes. The substitute amendment would
immediately allow TransCanada to construct,
connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline
and cross-border facilities known as the
Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no.32
Failed (40-58)
1/28/2015
S.Amdt.23 to S.1
Amendment no. 23 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 23 would
direct the Energy Department to establish a
program that would provide rebates to
individuals and entities for the purchase and
installation of solar panels for residential and
commercial properties. The amendment would
reimburse eligible recipients 15% of initial
capital costs or $10,000, whichever is less. The
substitute amendment would immediately
allow TransCanada to construct, connect,
operate, and maintain the pipeline and crossborder facilities known as the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 33
Failed (40-58)
1/28/2015
S.Amdt.15 to S.1
Amendment no. 15 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 15 would
provide for an expedited application and
approval process for the export of liquid
natural gas to World Trade Organization
member countries. The substitute amendment
would immediately allow TransCanada to
construct, connect, operate, and maintain the
pipeline and cross-border facilities known as
the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 34
Failed (53-45)
1/28/2015
Congressional Research Service
19
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt.73 to S.1
Amendment no. 73 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 73 would
remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the
threatened species list under the Endangered
Species Act. The substitute amendment would
immediately allow TransCanada to construct,
connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline
and cross-border facilities known as the
Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 35
Failed (55-44)
1/28/2015
S.Amdt.148 to S.1
Amendment no. 148 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 148 would
require campaign finance disclosures for
individuals or entities that make more than $1
million in revenues from oil sands production.
The amendment would require the
identification of individuals making
disbursements and candidates or businesses
receiving transfers. The substitute amendment
would immediately allow TransCanada to
construct, connect, operate, and maintain the
pipeline and cross-border facilities known as
the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 36
Failed (44-52)
1/28/2015
S.Amdt.132 to S.1
Amendment no. 132 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 132 would
express the sense of Congress that national
monuments should be subject to consultation
with local governments within the boundaries
of the proposed location and approval by the
state where the monument is to be located.
The substitute amendment would immediately
allow TransCanada to construct, connect,
operate, and maintain the pipeline and crossborder facilities known as the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 37
Failed (50-47)
1/28/2015
Congressional Research Service
20
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt.115 to S.1
Amendment no. 115 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 115 would
express the sense of Congress that climate
change is impacting the safety and reliability of
infrastructure systems in the United States and
it is necessary for the federal government to
mitigate the effects of climate change by
offering insurance programs and coordinating
with states to develop climate resilient
projects. The substitute amendment would
immediately allow TransCanada to construct,
connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline
and cross-border facilities known as the
Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 38
Failed (47-51)
1/28/2015
S.Amdt.166 to S.1
Amendment no. 166 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 166 would
require the release of wilderness study areas if
Congress has not designated the land as
wilderness within one calendar year of
receiving the recommendation from the
Interior Department. The substitute
amendment would immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 39
Failed (50-48)
1/28/2015
S.Amdt.133 to S.1
Amendment no. 133 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 133 would
express the sense of Congress that the
production tax credit should be extended until
January 1, 2020, for facilities that use wind
energy technology for electricity. The
substitute amendment would immediately
allow TransCanada to construct, connect,
operate, and maintain the pipeline and crossborder facilities known as the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 40
Failed (47-51)
1/28/2015
Congressional Research Service
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Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt.48 to S.1
Amendment no. 48 to the substitute
amendment no. 2. Amendment no. 48 would
remove exemptions of fracking and natural gas
storage from regulation under the Safe
Drinking Water Act. The amendment would
clarify that the definition of underground
injections includes the underground storage of
natural gas and hydraulic fracking fluids. The
substitute amendment would immediately
allow TransCanada to construct, connect,
operate, and maintain the pipeline and crossborder facilities known as the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 41
Failed (35-63)
1/28/2015
S.Amdt.246 to S.1
Amendment no. 246 would express the sense
of Congress that the Land and Water
Conservation Fund plays a vital role in
improving wildlife habitat and increasing
recreational opportunities on public land. The
amendment also would state that reauthorizing
the Land and Water Conservation Fund should
be a top priority and should include
improvements to effectively manage federal
lands.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 42
Failed (47-51)
1/29/2015
S.Amdt.92 to S.1
Amendment no. 92, as modified, would
permanently reauthorize the Land and Water
Conservation Fund. It would also require that
at least 1.5% of funds be made available each
fiscal year for projects that secure public
access to federal land for fishing, hunting and
other recreational purposes.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 43
Failed (59-39)
1/29/2015
S.Amdt.77 to S.1
Amendment no. 77 would establish a national
renewable electricity standard. The
amendment would set a goal for 25% of U.S.
electricity generation to come from renewable
energy sources such as solar, wind, ocean,
tidal, geothermal energy, biomass, landfill gas,
incremental hydropower or hydrokinetic
energy by 2025.
Note: By unanimous consent, the Senate
agreed to raise the majority requirement for
adoption of the amendment to 60 votes.
Vote no. 44
Failed (45-53)
1/29/2015
Congressional Research Service
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Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S.Amdt.155 to S.1
Amendment no. 155 would allow permitting
agencies to consider new circumstances and
information that may impact the environment
from the construction and operation of the
Keystone XL Pipeline.
Vote no. 46
Failed (41-56)
1/29/2015
S.Amdt.141 to S.1
Amendment no. 141 would prohibit the
underlying measure from taking effect until
reviews are conducted to determine whether
greenhouse gas emissions derived from oil
sands transported by the Keystone XL Pipeline
are likely to contribute to an increase of
extreme weather events.
Vote no. 47
Failed (36-62)
1/29/2015
S.Amdt.178 to S.1
Amendment no. 178 would clarify that
products derived from oil sands are treated as
crude oil for purposes of the federal excise tax
on petroleum.
Vote no. 48
Failed (44-54)
1/29/2015
S.1
Passage of the bill would immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline,
including any revision to the pipeline route
within Nebraska as required or authorized by
the state. It also would consider the January
2014 environmental impact statement issued
by the State Department sufficient to satisfy all
requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. It
would grant the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction
regarding legal disputes over the pipeline or
the constitutionality of the bill. As amended, it
would express the sense of the Senate that
climate change is real.
Vote no. 49
Passed (62-36)
1/29/2015
S. 1
A vote on passage, to override President
Obama’s February 24, 2015, vetoa of the bill
that would immediately allow TransCanada to
construct, connect, operate, and maintain the
pipeline and cross-border facilities known as
the Keystone XL pipeline, including any
revision to the pipeline route within Nebraska
as required or authorized by the state. It also
would consider the January 2014
environmental impact statement issued by the
State Department sufficient to satisfy all
requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. It
would grant the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction
regarding legal disputes over the pipeline or
the constitutionality of the bill. It would
express the sense of the Senate that climate
change is real.
Vote no. 68
Failed (62-37)
3/4/2015
Source: Congress.gov; CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database.
Congressional Research Service
23
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
a.
A bill or joint resolution that has been vetoed by the President can become law if two-thirds of the
Members voting in the House and the Senate each agree to pass it over the President's objection. The
chambers act sequentially on vetoed measures: The House acts first on House-originated measures (H.R.
and H.J. Res.), and the Senate acts first on Senate-originated measures (S. and S.J. Res.). If the first-acting
chamber does not override the veto, the other chamber cannot consider it. If either chamber fails to reach
the two-thirds vote requirement, the President’s veto stands. See CRS Report RS22654, Veto Override
Procedure in the House and Senate, by Elizabeth Rybicki.
Table 10. Procedural Senate Record Votes on Keystone XL Pipeline-114th Congress
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S. 1
Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate)
on the motion to proceed to the bill that
would immediately allow TransCanada to
construct, connect, operate, and maintain the
pipeline and cross-border facilities known as
the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Vote no. 3
Passed (63-32)
1/12/2015
S. 1
Motion to table amendment no. 13 to the
substitute amendment no. 2. Amendment no.
13 would ban the export of crude oil, bitumen
or refined petroleum fuel products
transported in the United States by the
operation of the Keystone XL pipeline, unless
a presidential waiver is obtained. The
substitute amendment would immediately
allow TransCanada to construct, connect,
operate, and maintain the pipeline and crossborder facilities known as the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Vote no. 4
Passed (57-42)
1/20/2015
S. 1
Motion to table amendment no. 17 to the
substitute amendment no. 2. Amendment no.
17 would require that the iron, steel, or
manufactured goods used in the construction
of the Keystone XL Pipeline originate in the
United States, unless such products are not
sufficiently available with satisfactory quality or
the use of such products would increase the
cost of construction by more than 25%. The
substitute amendment would immediately
allow TransCanada to construct, connect,
operate, and maintain the pipeline and crossborder facilities known as the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Vote no. 5
Passed (53-46)
1/20/2015
S. 1
Motion to table (kill) amendment no. 99 to the
substitute amendment no. 2. Amendment no.
99 would express the sense of Congress that
climate change is real and caused by human
activities. It would also express that fossil fuels
continue to produce a significant portion of
U.S. electricity and that it is imperative that the
United States invest in fossil fuel technology.
The substitute amendment would immediately
allow TransCanada to construct, connect,
operate, and maintain the pipeline and crossborder facilities known as the Keystone XL
Pipeline.
Vote no. 15
Passed (53-46)
1/22/2015
Congressional Research Service
24
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Bill/Amendment
No.
Vote Summary
Senate
Record
Vote No.
Vote Results/Date
(yeas-nays)
S. 1
Motion to table (kill) amendment no. 24.
Amendment no. 24 would express the sense
of the Senate that climate change is real and
caused by human activities. It also would urge
the United States to overhaul its energy
system away from fossil fuels and towards
sustainable energy. The substitute amendment
would immediately allow TransCanada to
construct, connect, operate, and maintain the
pipeline and cross-border facilities known as
the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Vote no. 16
Passed (56-42)
1/22/2015
S. 1
Motion to table (kill) amendment no. 25.
Amendment no. 25 would condition the
measure’s effective date to when products
derived from oil sands are treated as crude oil
for the purpose of the federal excise tax on
petroleum.
Vote no. 24
Passed (53-42)
1/22/2015
S. 1
Motion to table (kill) amendment no. 121 to
the substitute amendment no. 2. Amendment
no. 121 would impose a fee of 8 cents per
barrel on oil transported through the
Keystone XL Pipeline and direct the revenue
to a land and water conservation fund.
Vote no. 25
Passed (57-38)
1/22/2015
S. 1
Motion to table (kill) amendment no. 28 to the
bill. Amendment no. 28 would require
campaign finance disclosures for individuals
who have received revenues in relation to oil
sands leases or development in excess of
$10,000 during the period between Jan. 1,
2013, and 165 days after the bill’s enactment.
Subsequent disclosures would be required
each time an aggregate revenue of $10,000 is
reached.
Vote no. 26
Passed (52-43)
1/22/2015
S. 1
Motion to table (kill) amendment no. 30 to the
substitute amendment no. 2. Amendment no.
30 would strike a provision authorizing the
U.S. Court of Appeals and the District of
Columbia Circuit Court to have original and
exclusive judicial review over any civil actions
relating to the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Vote no. 27
Passed (53-41)
1/22/2015
Congressional Research Service
25
Congressional Roll Call Votes on the Keystone XL Pipeline
S. 1
Motion to table (kill) amendment no. 74 to the
substitute amendment no. 2. Amendment no.
74 would express the sense of the Senate that
the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
Program should be funded at no less than $4.7
billion annually.
Vote no. 28
Passed (49-45)
1/22/2015
S. 1
Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate)
on substitute amendment no. 2 that would
immediately allow TransCanada to construct,
connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline
and cross-border facilities known as the
Keystone XL Pipeline.
Note: Three-fifths of the total Senate (60) is
required to invoke cloture. A subsequent
motion was offered to reconsider the vote.
Vote no. 29
Failed (53-39)
1/26/2015
S. 1
Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate)
on the bill that would immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline,
including any revision to the pipeline route
within Nebraska as required or authorized by
the state.
Note: Three-fifths of the total Senate (60) is
required to invoke cloture. A subsequent
motion was offered to reconsider the vote.
Vote no. 30
Failed (53-39)
1/26/2015
S. 1
Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate)
on the bill that would immediately allow
TransCanada to construct, connect, operate,
and maintain the pipeline and cross-border
facilities known as the Keystone XL Pipeline,
including any revision to the pipeline route
within Nebraska as required or authorized by
the state.
Note: Three-fifths of the total Senate (60) is
required to invoke cloture.
Vote no. 45
Passed (62-35)
1/29/2015
Source: Congress.gov; CQ.com’s Roll Call Vote Report database.
Author Contact Information
Lynn J. Cunningham
Senior Research Librarian
-redacted-@crs.loc.gov , 7-....
Congressional Research Service
R43870 · VERSION 13 · UPDATED
26
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