Vote on Keystone XL pipeline set for Senate panel

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a bill to approve the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline that failed to get to the floor last month after negotiations regarding an energy-efficiency measure collapsed.

The bill, co-sponsored by committee Chairwoman Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., likely will clear the committee. Whether it gets a shot on the floor is another story, but it gives Landrieu, facing a tough re-election challenge from GOP Rep. Bill Cassidy, an opportunity to act on the pipeline that has strong support in her state.