Barrasso: Lame-duck Keystone vote a ‘Hail Mary’ for Landrieu

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) says any attempt by Democrats to approve the Keystone XL pipeline during the lame-duck session is a “hail-mary pass” to save Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu’s (La.) seat.

During an interview on MSNBC, Barrasso chided Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for a possible move to pass Keystone XL, which Reid has opposed in the past.

{mosads}“I find it very interesting that Harry Reid continued to block a vote on the Keystone XL pipeline until now,” Barrasso said.

“They’re throwing a hail-mary pass, trying to save her Senate seat,” he added, referring to Landrieu’s December runoff against Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana.

Democrats are reportedly trying to push a vote to approve the controversial pipeline to the Senate floor during the lame-duck session. A vote could come in the form of a rider on a defense authorization bill, or via a stand-alone measure.

Reid’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

“So apparently, the cost of the Keystone XL pipeline is trying to preserve one Democrat’s Senate seat after they have lost, and we have now won the Senate seat in Alaska,” Barrasso said.

Nonetheless, Barrasso said he supports the pipeline and would vote for legislation if it came to the Senate floor.

“It was a good idea when it was proposed,” he said. “It’s still a good idea.”

Republicans have said approving construction of Keystone XL is a priority for the new majority next year.