©2026 League of Conservation Voters
2015 Scorecard Vote
62
37
1
Issues
Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) sponsored S.1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act, which would automatically approve this dangerous pipeline, transporting the world’s dirtiest oil through the American heartland to an international shipping port on the Gulf Coast where it would be exported. Keystone XL would lead to a significant expansion of tar sands development, unleashing massive amounts of carbon pollution and threatening surrounding communities, ecosystems, and watersheds including the Ogallala aquifer, which provides drinking water for millions of Americans. Despite these threats, Keystone XL would create just 35 permanent jobs and would not enhance American energy independence. S.1 would short circuit the federal approval process, eliminating the State Department’s ability to assess whether the pipeline is in the national interest, and diminishing the president’s authority to ultimately approve or reject the project. On January 29, the Senate approved S.1 by a vote of 62-36 (Senate roll call vote 49). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. Following House passage of this bill, President Obama vetoed S. 1 on February 24. On March 4, the Senate failed to override the veto by a vote of 62-37 (67 votes needed for override; Senate roll call vote 68). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. On November 6, President Obama rejected TransCanada’s permit application to construct the Keystone XL pipeline, citing concerns about its climate impact.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters