McConnell pushes for votes on Keystone pipeline, EPA rule

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) insisted Tuesday that a vote on approving the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline be part of an agreement that would allow sweeping transportation funding legislation to advance.

The transportation bill stalled in a procedural vote early Tuesday afternoon as negotiations on which amendments will be considered continue, and McConnell said an agreement is “very close.”

McConnell wants a vote on a GOP leadership-backed plan – offered by Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) and David Vitter (R-La.) – that would approve construction of the proposed Alberta-to-Texas pipeline.