By Humberto Sanchez and Niels Lesniewski and JM Rieger

Talks between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appear to be at a standstill over an energy efficiency bill and holding a vote authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline. Democrats have said they are willing to give Republicans a vote on a bipartisan proposal to bypass the president and authorize the controversial pipeline in exchange for passing the energy efficiency bill. But in addition to a vote on Keystone, Republicans are asking for a vote on five energy-related amendments to the Shaheen-Portman bill, which Democrats have balked at.