NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Budget Resolution Passage a Loss for Clean Government and Conservation

The Senate's approval of a one-issue budget resolution that opens the door to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wlldlife Refuge is a loss for clean government and for conservation, said Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP), a national grassroots organization.

"Unfortunately, the Senate has approved a cynical, backdoor maneuver that is a new low in ethical lapses and kowtowing to special interests," REP Government Affairs Director David Jenkins said. "The Senate's action will reinforce voter impressions that our elected representatives are in thrall to special interests. This shortsighted action puts our Republican majority in Congress further at risk."

Approval of the resolution means that lawmakers will continue to waste their time on the Arctic Refuge drilling fixation, a goody for special interests disguised as an energy solution.

"The recent Prudhoe Bay oil spill, the largest in the history of Alaska North Slope oil production, puts the lie to misleading claims that oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge would be environmentally gentle," REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso said. "It's time for Congress to drop this bad idea once and for all. Drilling the Arctic Refuge would perpetuate America's dangerous oil dependence and sap the will we need to pursue balanced, lasting solutions that are available for ensuring our country of clean, reliable, and affordable energy choices."

REP thanks Republican Senators Lincoln Chafee (RI), Norm Coleman (MN), Susan Collins (ME), Mike DeWine (OH), and John Ensign (NV) for voting against the resolution.