House Speaker John Boehner says Republicans will push for the construction of a controversial oil pipeline by including the project in the bill to extend a payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits.

The provision would speed up work on the Keystone XL pipeline that would run from Canada to Texas.

President Barack Obama and many congressional Democrats oppose the 1,700-mile pipeline.

The pipeline's construction has been a major hurdle as lawmakers work to reach a compromise on the payroll tax cut.

Boehner said the House will keep the pipeline language in whatever bill the Senate produces.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Friday that he won't support a payroll tax bill without the pipeline provision.