U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D - N.Y., among the outspoken critics of the pipeline, had offered a
series of amendments to the bill aimed at holding oil companies accountable for spills and closing other loopholes.
Rep. Chris Collins, R - Clarence, stressed the
importance of the amendment to the bill that he and Rep. John Faso, R - Kinderhook, got added to the measure: A provision that bars states from charging counties for a share of Medicaid costs.
The House had already passed similar legislation, but
because of amendments to the bill in the Senate, a re-vote will be required before this puppy can get to the President's desk.
But last week the Senate made a
series of amendments to the bill, and the Assembly did not follow suit, indicating they are in no hurry to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.
Throughout the day and into the evening, Republicans proposed a series
of amendments to the bill, but they were rejected on mostly party lines.