Paul Offers Amendment, Lifts Opposition to Pipeline Safety Bill

A bill to update the nation’s pipeline safety standards after a fatal explosion in California has passed the U.S. Senate, despite long-term opposition by Kentucky senator Rand Paul. Paul had been single-handledly blocking the legislation for weeks.The bill would put new safety and environmental measures in place to regulate natural gas pipelines. The measure was introduced after a pipeline explosion in San Bruno, California killed eight people last year.Last month, Paul placed a procedural hold on the bill, which stopped it from being fast-tracked. He later offered an amendment to the measure, reversed his position and lifted the hold.The bill passed unanimously. Paul's amendment adds pipeline testing requirements, as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board.