The Senate moved forward with its consideration of its Keystone XL bill (S.1) today by killing two amendments and passing one of them.

The first amendment that the Senate killed was the amendment offered by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) to prevent the oil transported via the Keystone XL pipeline from being shipped abroad. House Democrats have traditionally introduced a similar amendment during Keystone votes, and it always (unsurprisingly) fails. It was not different today.

The Senate voted to table the amendment 57 to 42.

Three Democrats sided with the Republicans to kill it: Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Mark Warner (D-VA).

The second amendment killed was one by Senator Al Franken (D-MN) to require the use of iron, steel, and manufactured goods produced in the United States in the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline and facilities.

The Senate voted to table the amendment 53 to 46.

It was a largely party line vote with the exception of Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), who voted with the Democrats. Does North Carolina have a particularly notable iron or steel industry?

The Senate did, however, pass one amendment: a watered-down version of the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill from last year.

It passed easily 94 to 5.

The five NO votes were Ted Cruz (R-TX), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Ben Sasse (R-NE).

More amendment votes are likely to occur over this week and possibly next.