NOTE: Read the “Background” and “Resources” before answering the questions.

1. How many U.S. senators voted for/against authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline on Tuesday?

2. a) What is the Keystone XL? Be specific.
b) What are the arguments for/against the construction of the pipeline?

3. a) Who is for/against the project?
b) What did a government environmental impact statement say about the pipeline?

4. Why might the Keystone XL possibly be authorized in 2015?

5. Why was this project brought to a vote at this time?

6. With which Democratic Senators do you agree: those who opposed authorizing the pipeline but voted for it to help fellow Democrat Mary Landrieu or those who opposed its authorization and did not vote for it, even to help fellow Democrat Mary Landrieu get re-elected in a run-off election? Explain your answer.