By just one vote, the U.S. Senate fails to pass a bill that would have paved the way for building the controversial Keystone XL pipeline.
The pipeline -- opposed by environmentalists -- would transport crude oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
A version of the bill flew through the House of Representatives last week, but the Senate failed to gain the necessary 60 votes in order to pass it.
Moments before the vote, California Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer strongly opposed the bill.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR BARBARA BOXER, OF CALIFORNIA, SAYING:
"And I am telling you Madam President, as sure as I am standing here, when the nurses stood with me and the public health doctors stood with me and they said 'you know what, let's be very careful here, because this pipeline is going to unleash 45 percent more of the dirtiest, filthiest oil."
Louisiana Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu was one of the fourteen Senate democrats who voted f
