Amendment to Strike ANWR from Energy Bill Fails
The US House of Representatives voted today to reject an amendment that would have removed the ANWR oil development provision from the 2005 House Energy Bill. The amendment, offered by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), was voted down 200 to 231. Although the House has defeated the anti-ANWR measure every time it’s been offered, today’s vote represents the strongest rejection of Rep. Markey’s attempts to thwart responsible domestic energy development in ANWR.
As Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo stated in his closing remarks on the House Floor today, “There is no reason why we can’t provide for our own energy needs and protect our environment at the same time”. Responsible oil production and the protection of our environment are not mutually exclusive. Now more than ever, Americans and members in Congress are beginning to realize this.