McConnell: Cassidy will be key in authorizing Keystone

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Sen.-elect Bill Cassidy (R-La.) will be a welcomed addition to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

“I look forward to Sen.-elect Cassidy’s help when the new Republican majority passes the Keystone jobs bill early next year,” McConnell said Saturday. “I’m glad to say that Sen.-elect Cassidy will join the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee where he’ll be able to continue his work on developing North America’s natural resources and jobs while helping to secure our nation’s energy independence.”

{mosads}McConnell’s comments came after Cassidy defeated incumbent Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) in a runoff race. Cassidy’s victory adds to the already strong majority Republicans will have in the Senate next year.

McConnell has said when he takes control of the upper chamber a vote to authorize construction of the Keystone XL pipeline will be a top priority.

Environmentalists oppose the pipeline, which would transport oil from Canadian tar sands to refiners in Texas.

In a last ditch effort to help Landrieu secure her seat, Senate Democrats allowed a vote last month to authorize construction of the pipeline, which she supports. But she fell one vote shy of passing the measure.