Bill Cassidy to get energy committee post if he wins Senate race

Republican Bill Cassidy apparently has been promised a seat on the Senate energy committee if he defeats Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu in Louisiana.

The Associated Press is reporting incoming Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has vowed Cassidy will get the coveted slot —  important to Louisiana's energy industry — if the congressman wins the Dec. 6 runoff. Landrieu is currently chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, a post she has touted repeatedly in her campaign as evidence of her clout in Washington.

"I'm confident Dr. Cassidy will use this position to succeed where Sen. Landrieu failed," McConnell said in a statement to the AP. "Louisiana will have a senator that will use his clout to support energy jobs, not President Obama."

Both Cassidy and Landrieu support the Keystone XL oil pipeline, which Obama opposes. Politico reported Senate Democrats could push for a vote on the pipeline this month while their party still controls Congress, in a move that could help Landrieu in the runoff.

Republicans gained at least eight Senate seats to take control of the Senate. Those victories include Alaska's Dan Sullivan, who was declared the winner over Democratic Sen. Mark Begich after counting resumed Tuesday. The GOP has united behind Cassidy, who would become their 54th senator if he defeats Landrieu.