background
POLITICAL HISTORY
The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) , finalized in December of 1980, designated the 1.5 million acre Coastal Plain within ANWR a study area, to be evaluated for its oil and gas development potential. The resource evaluation, conducted by the Department of Interior, was released in 1987 and recommended that Congress open the Coastal Plain for oil and gas exploration and development. Since then, Alaska's Congressional delegation, our Governors and State Legislature's have been working toward that end. In 1995, the U.S. House and Senate approved Coastal Plain Development as part of a balanced budget act, but the entire measure was vetoed by President Clinton.ANWR – IMPORTANT DATES
1988 House Merchant Marine & Fisheries Committee approves an open ANWR Bill
Early 1989 House Merchant Marine & Fisheries Committee again approves an ANWR Bill
1991 Congress debates National Energy Policy Act, Title 9 of which allowed for development of the Coastal Plain.
Nov. 1991 Senate Roll-call vote on Sen. Wellstone amendment to cut off debate on ANWR, 50 to 44. (60 votes needed to defeat filibuster)
1995 ANWR resurrected as part of the Balanced Budget Bill.
May 24, 1995 Senator Roth amendment to table ANWR from the Budget Resolution defeated 56 to 44 votes
Sept., 1995 President Clinton tried to create a National Monument of ANWR under the Antiquities Act- this was prevented
Sept. 19, 1995 Cong. Vento motion to strike ANWR form the Budget reconciliation bill in the House Resources Committee, defeated 27 to 14
Oct. , 1995 House vote on Budget Reconciliation plan including ANWR passed 227-203 votes.
Oct. 25, 1995 Sen. Bumpers asset sale amendment (which would drop ANWR from the Reconciliation bill), defeated
Oct. 26, 1995 Sen. Baucus anti-ANWR amendment defeated 51 to 48 votes.
Dec. 6, 1995 President Clinton vetoed the Balanced Budget Act which it included a provision to open ANWR.
May 24, 1996 Sen. Bumpers again tried an asset sale amendment on the floor of the Senate as a way of killing ANWR. The first amendment was modified and defeated 98 to 0, but a second attempt aimed directly at ANWT was defeated 52 to 46
June 13, 2001 A motion to limit the funds for activities related to oil and gas exploration in ANWR, brought up by Rep. Obey was rejected in the House Committee on Appropriations by a vote of 38 to 21
July 17, 2001 House Committee on Resources votes 30 to 19 against an Amendment to strike ANWR provision from Energy Security Act.
July 17, 2001 House Committee on Resources passes Energy Security Act with a vote of 26 to 17.
Aug. 1, 2001 Rep. Markey’s amendment to strike ANWR from HR 4 is defeated by a vote of 223 to 206
Aug. 2, 2001 HR-4 is passed through the house with a vote 240 to 189
Sept. 11, 2001 America is attacked by terrorists, the worst terrorist attack in history of the United States.
April 2, 2003 House Committee on Resources votes 27-17 against an Amendment to strike the ANWR provision from the Energy Bill.
April 10, 2003 Rep. Markey’s amendment to strike ANWR from HR 6 is defeated by a vote of 228 to 197
April 11, 2003 HR 6 is passed through the house with a vote of 247 to 175
March 15, 2005 United States Senate – Sen. Maria Cantwell’s (D-WA)
amendment to strike the ANWR provision [Section 201(a)(4)] from the Budget
Resolution is defeated 51-49
April 13, 2005 House Committee on Resources votes 30 to 13 against an Amendment to strike the ANWR provision from HR 6
April 21, 2005 Rep. Markey’s amendment to strike ANWR from HR 6 on the house floor is defeated by a vote of 231 to 200
04/05