WASHINGTON – The Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a transportation bill that would advance the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, designed to transport oil from Canada to Texas, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Obama administration has said advisors would recommend the president veto the bill if it reaches his desk, the newspaper reported.

Meanwhile, the Democratic-controlled Senate passed its own transportation bill earlier this year that excludes the pipeline project.

According to the Washington Post, the Senate is unlikely to pass the House bill if it includes the Keystone XL pipeline project, but Republicans are touting the pipeline’s ability to increase the amount of oil available to the U.S. and lower gas prices.

U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said moving forward with the Keystone pipeline project would “help lower energy costs and create jobs for Americans.”

However, Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) called the pipeline “a scheme to export oil to China” that would do little to lower gas prices.

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