Senate Keystone XL Backers Shy Two Votes

Supporters of a Senate bill that would approve the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline are two votes shy of the 60 needed to proceed to a vote.

The targets leading up to the expected Tuesday vote are Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Bill Nelson, D-Fla. If they back the bill, it could give lead sponsor Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., a victory that might give her a boost in her Dec. 6 runoff contest against Republican challenger Rep. Bill Cassidy, who is leading in polls.

Bennet, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which is charged with getting Democrats elected to the upper chamber, refused to answer reporters when asked which way he would vote. Nelson, whose seat is up for grabs in 2016, told the Washington Examinersimply, “Stay tuned.”

All 45 Republican senators back the bill, which has Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., as the lead Republican sponsor. It would approve the Canada-to-Texas pipeline, which has been in administrative limbo for six years as builder TransCanada Corp. awaits a cross-border permit to complete the northern leg.

National Republican organizations have pointed to Landrieu’s struggles to pass her Keystone XL legislation as proof that she lacks clout, though she has based much of her campaign on her dealmaking abilities and her senior position on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. She would be the top Democrat if she wins re-election.

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