Senate Democrats Consider Keystone Pipeline Vote In Lame Duck Session

From left, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., talk to reporters about the final work of the Senate as their legislative year nears to ... From left, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., talk to reporters about the final work of the Senate as their legislative year nears to a close, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013. Reid promises a vote no later than Jan. 7 on a measure to extend jobless benefits for three months. He said the number of jobless people out of work for more than six months is far greater than in past economic recoveries. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS

By Sahil Kapur

November 12, 2014 11:27 a.m.

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Senate Democratic leaders are considering holding a vote to approve the Keystone pipeline in the lame-duck session before they hand over the majority to Republicans.

A senior Democratic aide said the idea was “under discussion, but a final outcome has not been determined.”

Part of the calculus may be to boost Sen. Mary Landrieu’s (D-LA) prospects for reelection in her tough runoff with Republican Bill Cassidy on December 6. Landrieu has repeatedly called for a vote on Keystone, but she has been attacked by Cassidy for failing to persuade Democrats to bring it up so far.

“Sen. Landrieu is leading the charge for it,” the Democratic aide, who requested anonymity to discuss the closed-door deliberations, said.

The news was first reported on Wednesday by Bloomberg.

Passage of legislation to approve the Keystone pipeline is increasingly seen as inevitable once Republicans take over the Senate and expand their majority in the House in January. The idea also has the support of numerous Democrats. The White House has not made a final determination on the pipeline.

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Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) Sahil Kapur is TPM's senior congressional reporter and Supreme Court correspondent. His articles have been published in the Huffington Post, The Guardian and The New Republic. Email him at sahil@talkingpointsmemo.com and follow him on Twitter at @sahilkapur.

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