By Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – On Thursday, the U.S. Senate will vote on a bill to slap Russia sanctions on its Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The legislation was proposed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz. Democrats swept ahead of it.

Cruz must have 60 votes in order for his legislation, which would be a huge hurdle in the 50-50 Senate. It is due to be voted on at 2:45 pm. ET (1945 GMT).

A bill alternative that Senator Robert Menendez introduced Wednesday has been supported by many Democrats including President Joe Biden. If Moscow joins hostilities with Ukraine, it would place severe sanctions on the top Russian military and government officials as well as banks.

Jeanne Shaheen is a Democrat and was originally co-sponsor of Nord Stream 2 sanctions legislation alongside Cruz. She said she opposes her bill as it threatens to break unity in Washington.

She spoke ahead of the vote and said that Cruz’s legislation “drives a wedge” between America and Europe, especially Germany.

Both the United States as well some European countries like Ukraine and Poland oppose this pipeline. It would reduce Kyiv’s transit fees as well increase Moscow’s power over Europe where gas prices continue to rise.

Cruz’s proposal must also pass the House, and Biden has to sign it. He stated that “Ukraine could be wiped from the map” if the Senate doesn’t approve his bill.

In 15 days, the Cruz bill would impose severe sanctions against Nord Stream 2 AG. This is the company responsible for the construction of the project. Menendez would impose sanctions on the pipeline and Russian officials after an attack on Ukraine.

Gazprom’s $11 million Nord Stream 2 pipeline would carry Russian gas from the Baltic Sea under Germany. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was completed in the second quarter of last year, but approvals from Germany (MCX:) and the EU remain pending. These approvals may not be granted until the middle or end of this year.