WASHINGTON — The Republican-controlled Congress cleared a bill Wednesday to construct the Keystone XL oil pipeline, setting up a confrontation with President Barack Obama, who has threatened to veto the measure.

The House passed the bill on a 270-152 vote.

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, of Butler in a speech in the House said, “I rise in strong support of the Keystone XL pipeline. It’s going to create 42,000 jobs. … And the thing about this that is most impressive is it doesn’t cost the American taxpayer one single penny — it’s privately funded.”