GOP Senators Push For Keystone Vote

Senate Republicans want to add an amendment to the highway bill that would mandate construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

GOP lawmakers backing the controlversial oil pipeline plan to file an amendment mandating the project to the Senate transportation package Monday. It is unclear whether the Keystone measure—one of scores of proposed additions to the highway package—will come up for a vote.

The Senate last week began debate on the big transportation programs funding bill.

The move underlines the GOP's determination to promote the pipeline and attack the Obama administration for rejecting a permit for developer TransCanada Corp. in January. Republicans in both chambers along with the GOP candidates for president have consistently bashed President Obama for his decision to reject the pipeline, which they argue will cost the country jobs.

Keystone XL would bring oil from Alberta’s massive tar sands projects to Gulf Coast refineries. It’s also envisioned to carry oil from the Bakken formation in North Dakota and Montana, where production is booming.

Pipeline backers – including most Republicans, some Democrats, major business groups and several unions – call the project a way to create jobs and boost energy security.

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