US Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) were joined by 18 other senators from both parties as they urged newly confirmed Secretary of State John F. Kerry to approve the proposed Keystone XL crude oil pipeline during this year’s first quarter.

“The State Department received the new route approved by the state of Nebraska on Jan. 22…but [it] has yet to inform the public and stakeholders of a definitive process for the final decision,” the 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans said in their Feb. 22 letter. “We urge you as Secretary of State to ensure that this decision process be completed promptly.”

Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Mark Begich (D-Alas.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Kay Hagan (D- NC), John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alas.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), David Vitter (R-La.) and Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) signed the letter along with Hoeven and Baucus.

Contact Nick Snow at nicks@pennwell.com.