An Oklahoma senator wants an investigation into the scandal over a $10 million Coconut Road interchange along Interstate 75.

On Tuesday, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., called for a special committee to look into how the language of a funding bill was switched after Congress voted on it and before the president signed it.

“Changing legislation after it passes is an assault against the constitutional authority of every member of Congress,” said Coburn’s spokesman, John Hart. “It raises a question of: Is there now a secret branch of government that can alter bills after they leave Congress and before they arrive in the White House?”

Coburn would like to attach the requirement for the committee’s formation to a “corrections bill” now on the floor of the Senate. The bill would return the original language to the legislation, which read “Widening and Improvements to Interstate 75 in Lee and Collier counties,” rather than the money being earmarked for a new interchange.

Many speculate that Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, had the bill’s language changed as a favor to a campaign contributor. Young attended a fundraiser in Estero held by a wealthy land owner who stood to gain from a Coconut Road interchange. Daniel Aronoff owns 4,000 acres of land east of where the interchange would go. The fundraiser brought in $40,000 for Young.

Taxpayers for Common Sense, a non-partisan watchdog group, was unsuccessful in trying to get the House ethics committee to investigate the matter in September. But the senator’s proposal has an excellent chance of finding some answers, said Keith Ashdown, an analyst for Taxpayers for Common Sense.

The senator’s request could also help speed the passage of the corrections bill, which has been languishing in the Senate.

The delay had prompted local leaders, some of whom didn’t want the Coconut Road interchange, to wonder if they would ever see the $10 million again after sending it back to have the language fixed.

The bill is now closer to being passed before Congress breaks on Thursday or Friday, Ashdown said.

“This is when it happens, when the congressional session is on its last fumes,” Ashdown said. “In my opinion, if they put this on the bill, it gives it a good chance.”

Coburn and at least one other senator had placed holds on the bill. In a letter to Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, Coburn said he objects to the passage of the bill if it does not require an investigation.

“Because secret, improper and unauthorized changes to congressionally passed legislation call into question the integrity of our entire constitutional and legislative process, I believe a full and open investigation into this matter is necessary to restore the integrity of both the U.S. Congress and the Constitution,” Coburn said in his letter.

McConnell will recognize Coburn’s request, but it is not his responsibility to fulfill it, said Don Stewart, spokesman for McConnell. Those who want the bill to pass with unanimous support must work with Coburn to meet his demands, Stewart said.