Rand Paul blocks oil and gas pipeline safety bill

Using the antiquated rules of the U.S. Senate, Sen. Rand Paul has placed a personal hold on the pipeline safety bill, preventing it from being sent to the floor for a vote.

The Hill reports:

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is blocking legislation aimed at tightening safety standards for the nation’s oil and natural-gas pipelines, arguing that the bill would create a new layer of burdensome regulations and government bureaucracy.

Paul has placed a procedural hold on the legislation, which enjoys bipartisan support in the Senate. The hold effectively prevents lawmakers from fast-tracking approval of the bill.

The bill has such strong bipartisan support that it was approved unanimously by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee several months ago. The bill comes on the heels of several high-profile pipeline spills, including the massive oil spill in Calhoun County last year.