A senator who is philosophically opposed to federal regulation says he wants the Senate to debate a pipeline safety bill he has stymied.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky blamed Democratic leaders for the Senate's failure to act on the measure, saying they could have scheduled a debate and vote on the bill at any time.

The bill has wide, bipartisan support and is backed by industry and safety groups. Paul is the only senator opposing an effort by the bill's Democratic sponsors to pass it swiftly using "unanimous consent" procedures that eliminate the need for a time-consuming debate.

Brian Fallon, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said that Reid doesn't want to schedule a debate on a bill opposed by a single senator.