"Majority Leader Mitch McConnell moved to end debate around midnight, after a seemingly endless series of votes and quorum calls that left Democrats fuming."

The new, freewheeling Senate of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell presided over an agitated debate on the Keystone XL pipeline that churned into Friday’s wee hours and ended with aggrieved Democrats crying Koch.

Around midnight, a seemingly endless series of amendment votes and quorum calls shifted as McConnell moved to end debate on a bill that would yank President Barack Obama’s authority over the proposed oil pipeline — after quickly disposing of five Democratic amendments.

Blindsided Democrats accused the Kentucky Republican of shutting down a Senate that he had promised to run in a more open way than their own leaders did. They also wondered aloud if Republicans were trying to wrap up all Keystone business to accommodate a conference scheduled for this weekend in Palm Springs, Calif., that’s affiliated with the billionaire conservatives Charles and David Koch."

Elana Schor reports for Politico January 23, 2015. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Senate Set to Vote on Keystone XL Next Week" (National Journal) [3]

"Senate Sets Final Vote on Keystone for Next Week" (The Hill) [4]

"Senate Republicans Unanimously Block Amendment To Keep Keystone Oil In The United States" (PoliticsUSA) [5]

"Keystone Debate: Senate Votes on Dueling Climate Change Amendments" (Wall Street Journal) [6]

"Senate GOP Accused Of ‘Closing Off Debate’ During Keystone XL Pipeline Votes" (Climate Progress) [7]