Keystone XL bill passed by Senate panel
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The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed legislation mandating construction of the Keystone XL pipeline Wednesday in possibly the last Senate action on the Canada-to-Texas project before the November midterm election.
The measure secured a 12-10 vote, with two Democrats -- chairwoman Mary Landrieu, of Louisiana, and Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia -- joining Republicans to approve the bill. Notably, Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., facing competition from Keystone XL supporter GOP Rep. Cory Gardner for his Senate seat, voted against the bill.
The bill, however, is unlikely to reach the floor; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said as much Tuesday.
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Instead, the vote devolved into accusations of politicking about the pipeline, which has been in federal administrative limbo for nearly six years.