The Senate Thursday passed legislation to approve the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, which seems largely symbolic because President Barack Obama has threatened to veto it, but the exercise created winners and losers on many levels, the National Journal reported Thursday.

The vote was 62-36, and nine mostly rural Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the bill. The vote is five short of what's needed to overcome a veto.

▪ National Journal — Senate OKs Keystone XL Pipeline
▪ — Winners and Losers in the Senate’s Keystone Pipeline Showdown