Methane Repeal Fails in Senate as McConnell Falls a Vote Shy
- Three Republicans join all Democrats in opposing rule repeal
- Failure follows surprise firing of FBI Director Comey Tuesday
A gas flare is seen through the window as Royal Dutch Shell's Scott W. Scheffler drives near Mentone, Texas in Loving County located in a central portion of the Delaware Basin on Thursday, March 2, 2017.
Photographer: Matthew Busch/For BloombergThe Senate failed to advance a measure to repeal a rule loathed by oil and natural gas companies, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suffered a rare legislative defeat by just one vote.
The 49-51 procedural vote means a resolution to nullify the regulation from the Bureau of Land Management falls short after passing the House. Democrats united against the measure and were joined by Republican Senators Lindsey Graham, Susan Collins and John McCain. Graham and Collins had long said they opposed the repeal, but McCain was a surprise no vote.