Vote on Keystone XL pipeline set for Senate panel

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a bill to approve the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline that failed to get to the floor last month after negotiations regarding an energy-efficiency measure collapsed.

The bill, co-sponsored by committee Chairwoman Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., likely will clear the committee. Whether it gets a shot on the floor is another story, but it gives Landrieu, facing a tough re-election challenge from GOP Rep. Bill Cassidy, an opportunity to act on the pipeline that has strong support in her state.

"Look, I can have a lot of influence — not sole — but I have a tremendous influence at the committee level as chair. Not complete — I have a minority and a majority to consult. But I can move this out of the committee," Landrieu told reporters Thursday in the Capitol.

"Then it's going to be up to [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid [D-Nev.] and [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell [R-Ky.] as to whether they can negotiate a straight-up vote on Keystone. That will be their negotiation. I will have done my part," Landrieu said

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