GOP moderates derail drilling plans for Arctic Refuge and offshore areas
Opponents of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge got some shocking good news last night: 25 moderate House Republicans, led by Rep. Charles Bass (R-N.H.), defied pressure from the GOP leadership and vowed to oppose a $54 billion, filibuster-proof budget bill unless provisions allowing drilling in the refuge and in offshore areas around the country were eliminated -- and promises made they would not return. And lo, in late-night negotiations, House GOP leaders blinked; the provisions are gone. This unexpected development of moderate GOP spine is a blow to the Bush administration's plans for expanded dirty-energy production, but the struggle ain't over. Senate drilling monomaniacs Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) say they'll bottle the legislation up well into 2006 if the final version doesn't include Arctic Refuge drilling. But the House coalition avers it'll stand firm. Elephant fight! Elephant fight!
source: The Washington Post, Jonathan Weisman, 10 Nov 2005
source: Anchorage Daily News, Liz Ruskin, 10 Nov 2005
source: The Boston Globe, Associated Press, 10 Nov 2005
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