House Overwhelmingly Approves Keystone XL Pipeline

The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed a bill on Friday authorizing the Keystone XL oil pipeline, despite a renewed pledge by the White House to veto the legislation after a Nebraska court removed a major obstacle.

The House voted 266-153 to approve measure, with 28 Democrats voting in support.

All five Oklahoma's representatives, Jim Bridenstine, Markwayne Mullin, Frank Lucas, Tom Cole and Steve Russell voted for the bill. 

It was one of the first pieces of legislation considered by the Republican-controlled Congress and the 10th vote the House had taken since July 2011 to advance the $7 billion project, which would carry tar sands oil from Canada to Gulf Coast refineries.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.