KEYSTONE PIPELINE FAILS TO GET NEEDED VOTES IN SENATE

By TONI ELLINGTON

In a vote held on Monday, January 26, 2015, the Keystone XL Pipeline proposal fell short of the needed 60 votes in the Senate which would have allowed the measure to proceed to a final vote.  The vote was 53 to 39 on whether to end debate and move the bill to a final vote.  The votes fell largely along party lines.  The pipeline lost support from one Democrat, Senator Jon Tester of Montana, but was supported by Senator Michael Bennet, Democratic Senator from Colorado.

If Republicans are not able to move forward on a final vote on the bill in the Senate this week, it is possible that the push to construct the pipeline may be in jeopardy.  President Obama has stated that he will veto the pipeline proposal if it gets to him.
 
The failure of this vote means that ongoing debate over energy topics will continue on the Senate floor.  The debate has covered topics such as climate change and eminent domain.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plans to have the Senate reconsider the measure.

For updates, stay tuned to this blog, or contact Toni Ellington at (504) 599-8500.