Will Democrats Approve The Keystone Pipeline in a Desperate Attempt to Save Senator Mary Landrieu?

It is said that some politicians will do anything to stay in power.  Sometimes, they'll even do the right thing.

The Keystone Pipeline, a route for Canadian oil to be sent to United States oil refineries, has been blocked by President Obama and the Democrats for years.  It is estimated that the pipeline would create 42,000 new jobs over the 2-year construction period, as well as adding approximately $3.4 billion to the U.S. GDP during construction*.  Yet Democrats have blocked it on trumped-up claims of "environmental concerns."

Now, that may have changed.

The reason?  Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu is locked in a run-off election with Republican Bill Cassidy in Louisiana, and so far, it looks like Cassidy will emerge the victor on December 6. 

Landrieu's entire general election campaign centered around her "clout," which, as a prominent member of the majority party, would enable her to get things done for Louisiana.  That argument completely fell apart on the evening of November 4, when the GOP took over the Senate.  No committee chairmanships -- and no more "clout" -- for Senator Landrieu.

In a desperate attempt to save Mary Landrieu and allow her to prove that she still has "clout," the outgoing Democratic Senate leadership is allowing a vote on the Keystone Pipeline.  Landrieu failed to secure a vote before the general election, but with her run-off election in the balance, Democrats are doing everything they can to save her.

Or are they?  While Reid is allowing a vote on the bill to approve the pipeline, which will happen today, Senator Landrieu is now scrambling to find the 60 votes she needs to pass the bill.

The vote will happen today.  If you have a Democratic Senator (or two), give them a call and tell them to vote for the Keystone bill.  Even this desperate measure is not likely to save Mary Landrieu's campaign, and it is critical that the Keystone Pipeline be built without further delay.

Find your Senators' contact information here.

* Read these projections at www.gop.gov/5-things-the-keystone-xl-pipeline-will-do-to-build-our-economy