Senate Republicans to try to force vote on Keystone pipeline

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is to introduce a bill on Tuesday to force construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Murkowski, a Republican, is the new head of the Senate Energy Committee. The bill could receive a floor vote next week.

Her legislation will set up a new confrontation with President Barack Obama over an issue that has lingered for years. Obama has not taken a definitive position on the controversial idea of building the massive project.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he’ll make Keystone the Senate’s first order of business.