Arctic wilderness. (Hill Bulletin).On March 19, the Senate voted 52 to 48 to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) covers 19,049,236 acres (79,318 km²) in northeastern Alaska, in the North Slope region. It was originally protected in 1960 by order of Fred A. Seaton, the Secretary of the Interior under U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. (ANWR ANWR Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Alaska, USA) ) from oil drilling as part of the 2004 Budget Resolution. ANWR is the geographically diverse, pristine pris·tine adj. 1. a. Remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted by civilization. b. Remaining free from dirt or decay; clean: pristine mountain snow. 2. , 19.3 million-acre home for numerous animal species. The Senate vote was key because the procedural rules for the budget provided for a majority vote. On regular legislation, opponents could filibuster filibuster, term used to designate obstructionist tactics in legislative assemblies. It has particular reference to the U.S. Senate, where the tradition of unlimited debate is very strong. It was not until 1917 that the Senate provided for cloture (i.e. a proposal to open the Refuge and proponents would need 60 votes to break the filibuster. In the first week in April, the House passed energy legislation that would allow oil drilling in the ANWR But with their enhanced parlimentary position, opponents vowed to block drilling in the Senate energy bill. What You Can Do: Contact Senators and tell them drilling in the ANWR is not good energy policy and urge them to oppose it. |
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