Franken, Klobuchar ‘No’ On Keystone

WASHINGTON (AP) — Minnesota's senators were both "no" votes as a proposal to build the Keystone XL pipeline went down by a single vote.

Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken were expected to line up against the proposal even before Tuesday evening's vote. It failed 59-41.

A 60th vote would have sent it to the White House, where President Barack Obama opposed it but hadn't said whether he would veto it.

Franken said in a statement after the vote that Congress shouldn't sidestep the permitting process that's underway on the oil pipeline.

The Keystone project would carry oil from Canada to the Gulf Coast through the nation's midsection. Supporters say it's a job-creating project that would make America less dependent on Middle East oil. Critics discount any effect on American's energy stability and say drilling hurts the environment.