Do the right thing': GOP makes last-minute Keystone pitch to Obama

Republicans in the House and Senate gathered Friday morning to officially send President Barack Obama legislation approving the Keystone XL pipeline, a ceremony that could end up serving as the bill's funeral give wide expectations that Obama will veto it.

The House passed the bill Thursday in a 270-152 vote, and the Senate approved it in 62-36 vote in January. But neither of those votes are enough to override Obama's expected veto, and that left Republicans with nothing left to do but ask Obama to reconsider.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), seated, and other Republicans called on President Barack Obama on Friday to sign legislation approving the Keystone XL pipeline. Image: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

"To the president, I would just say this: Do the right thing," House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said just before signing it and send it to the White House. "Sign this bill and help us create more jobs in America and create a healthier economy."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) thanked several senators for keeping pressure on the Senate to pass it, and again said he hopes Obama can support a bill that has wide support around the country.

"We're hoping common sense will prevail here, and the president will sign this extraordinary jobs bill," he said.

Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), one of the Senate managers of the bill, noted that the bill seems to have support from almost everyone except the White House. Republicans have noted that even the State Department has found no significant risk of environmental threats from the pipeline, and that it has support around the country.

"Everyone's on board, except for the president," he said. "All six states on the route have approved this project."

Obama has not officially vetoed the bill passed by the House and Senate, which is S. 1. But the White House did threaten to veto H.R. 3, an early House version of the bill, and the White House has indicated it would veto any bill that disrupts the administration process for considering the project.

Republicans, however, have dismissed the idea that there is any process for considering the project at all. Keystone has been under review for more than six years.