The new Republican-controlled Congress has begun with immediate salvos over the Keystone XL pipeline. On the first day of the 114th Congress, Republican Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota introduced a measure to approve construction of the project that would move Canadian tar sands oil to the Gulf Coast. But White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest immediately announced President Obama would veto the Keystone bill if it crosses his desk.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest: “I would not anticipate that the president will sign this piece of legislation. We promised — you know, we indicated that the president would veto similar legislation that was being considered by the previous Congress, and our position on this hasn’t changed. Again, there’s a well-established process that should not be undermined by legislation.”

Even if the bill passes and Obama ends up using the veto, Republicans have vowed to make Keystone a top priority in their newfound control of Congress. Their next step could be to attach Keystone’s approval to a wider bill containing measures Obama supports. The White House says President Obama continues to await a State Department review and a Nebraska court ruling on the Keystone XL’s route.