The Republican majority in the newly elected US Congress is confronting President Barack Obama over the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Environmental activists, however, warn that the project is not in the people's interest. Although the bill passed a preliminary hurdle Monday in the Senate, Obama said he will veto the measure, but Republicans are nevertheless pushing ahead. Meanwhile, more than 100 protest actions were held across the US, culminating in the delivery of half a million signatures on petitions against pipeline. Alexandra Hall reports from Washington. teleSUR