Drilling in Arctic Blocked!

Washington - The Senate voted down desperate efforts to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Drilling proponents had attached Arctic drilling to a critical bill that provides our troops with the resources they need to keep us safe. The vote that was 56-44.

For procedural reasons, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist cast a vote with ANWR opponents so that he might be able to resurrect the issue for another try. But Democrats believe the defense bill will be re-introduced minus the Arctic refuge provision.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, who led the fight against the bill in the senate, made this statement,

This is nothing more than a sweetheart deal for Alaska and the oil companies. That's why I am prepared to use every procedural option available to me as a senator to prevent this language from moving forward.

She lead a filibuster against the drilling bill and won the critical vote against drilling. We all should send her an e-mail with our thanks.

Happy Holidays!