The Associated Press reports: Call it a high-stakes political poker game, with the Louisiana Senate seat the big prize.”  

“Three-term Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, facing an uphill fight to hold her seat in a Dec. 6 runoff, on Wednesday called for a vote on approving the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL pipeline project.”  

“Within an hour, Republican leaders in the House announced that lawmakers would vote Thursday on a bill sponsored by Landrieu’s Republican rival, Rep. Bill Cassidy, to build the pipeline.”  

Adds Roll Call: In a bid to help their Republican colleague Bill Cassidy of Louisiana bolster his Senate chances, Republicans in the House are moving forward with a bill that would once again approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.  

Cassidy, who is currently in a runoff election with Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, is the sponsor of the legislation. And aides say Cassidy’s bill is the same as a bill before the Senate.  

The House Rules Committee will meet on the bill Wednesday night, and a vote on the measure looks like it will occur Thursday, aides said.