The Republicans are planning to push for the Keystone XL Pipeline project next year if they gain a Senate majority on November, a move that would force President Barack Obama's hand to make a decision on the long-delayed proposal.

For years, the GOP has tried to pass a bill on Keystone, but the Democratic-led Senate has only allowed for a supportive stance on the project.

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Although Republicans need to win six seats to gain a majority, lawmakers claim they have enough votes to pass the bill. According to Energy Committee member Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Keystone already has at least 57 votes. He expects to gain more after the November elections.

But to bring the bill to a vote, Republicans say they need a new majority leader since incumbent leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) refuses to do so.

Presumed GOP-led Senate majority leader Sen. Mitch McConnell said he will bring Keystone to a vote if his party gains a majority next year.

The Keystone proposal could be passed as a standalone bill or linked to a key legislation like government funding. It is not unusual for Congress to pass legislation attached to an unrelated provision especially if the bill is popular among constituents or has the backing of congressional leaders.

If passed as a lone bill, the president could either approve or reject it. But if attached to a must-pass bill, Obama would be hard-pressed to veto an important legislation, Reuters relayed.

While Obama's veto powers include the rejection of a bill that has earned less than two-thirds support, Energy Committee member Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wy.) said widespread support for the Keystone

The 1,179 mile Keystone pipeline project, which could boost U.S. oil production through Canadian supply, is a good initiative for the GOP if it intends to counter some of Obama's key environmental initiatives including the Environmental Protection Agency's carbon emissions project.

The president has taken a hard-line stance with regard to environmental issues and has reiterated that he would not approve plans that could worsen climate change. It is uncertain whether Obama will sign the Keystone bill or veto it.

Based on a March Pew Research Center survey, over 60 percent of Americans are in favor of the Keystone project.

Tagspolitics, Presidency of Barack Obama, Politics of the United States, Keystone Pipeline