After years of political wrangling, the Republican controlled Senate on Thursday passed its first priority of the new Congress: the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
The legislation easily passed by a 62 to 36 vote, with support from nine Democrats.
President Obama has pledged to veto the bill, which Republicans committed to pass once they took control of the Senate earlier this month.
The Senate version differs from the House passed bill so the measure is not yet ready to head to the president's desk. The House could pass the Senate version or the two chambers could conference to resolve any differences.
-- Kelly O'Donnell