"US President Barack Obama would have until late February to act on TransCanada's application to build the controversial Keystone XL crude oil pipeline under legislation expected to be approved by Congress on Friday."

"Facing pressure from his own party, House Speaker John Boehner late Thursday backed down from insisting on a full year of payroll tax cuts in legislation that has kept Washington mired in political drama for two weeks. He said the House of Representatives would approve the Senate's compromise version of the tax package before Christmas.

The House is expected to hold a voice vote Friday, which does not require all members to return to Washington from their districts.

Boehner, Republican-Ohio, did not mention Keystone XL during the announcement, but both chambers have approved identical language giving the White House 60 days to approve or deny TransCanada's application for the Alberta-to-Texas pipeline. The provision appears in the bill that will get a vote Friday, according to text distributed by the Rules Committee."

Platts had the story December 22, 1011. [2]