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The State Department, which has jurisdiction over cross- border projects, is reviewing whether the pipeline is in the national interest. Its evaluation has been delayed as it awaits a court decision in Nebraska that will determine the legality of the proposed route across that state.

Keystone XL pipeline backers came up one vote short in the Senate though vowed to try again in January when they expect to have enough support to send a bill to President Barack Obama.

The 59-41 vote yesterday to approve the pipeline fell below the 60 needed, despite pressure from co-sponsor and Louisiana Democrat Mary Landrieu, who spent days cajoling colleagues to back the legislation to boost her re-election odds.

Next years vote promises to be different when Republicans take control of the chamber with at least eight more members. That could be enough to win passage though short of the 67 needed to overcome a presidential veto without significant Democratic defections.

Well do it next year, said Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is poised to be majority leader when Republicans take control in January. House Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, also has said enactment of a Keystone measure is a top priority; his chamber passed the measure last week.

Since TransCanada Corp. (TRP), a Calgary-based pipeline maker, first applied to build Keystone in September 2008, it has become a proxy in a broader debate over jobs, U.S. energy security and climate change. Keystone XL would have the capacity to carry 830,000 barrels of oil a day, connecting Albertas oil sands to the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Senator Mary Landrieu, a Democrat from Louisiana, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Nov. 18, 2014. Close

Senator Mary Landrieu, a Democrat from Louisiana, speaks during a news conference at... Read More

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Senator Mary Landrieu, a Democrat from Louisiana, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Nov. 18, 2014.

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Senate Rejection of Keystone XL Measure Sets Up 2015 Showdown