While the Senate passed a bill in March in a bipartisan 72-24 vote, the House has only a shell bill to offer, plus its "non-negotiable" insistence on mandatory approval of Keystone XL. The Senate majority has its own bazooka: a presidential veto if Keystone XL is in the bill.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

In due course, Bill Clinton accepted this formulation, as well, when it became a non-negotiable Senate precondition for approval of the CWC.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Out of control