Democrats to Fight ANWR Drilling in Defense Bill
Reuters is reporting that Senate Democrats are upset that the GOP attached a provision for drilling in ANWR to the Defense appropriations bill.
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid said if the ANWR drilling language is in the defense spending legislation Democrats would argue it violates Senate rules because the provision is not related to defense issues. “The (Senate) parliamentarian will rule in our favor,” Reid told reporters.
Not to be outdone, John Kerry added “It’s appalling that the United States Senate is willing to hold our troops and hurricane victims hostage to their desperate attempts to satisfy big oil and drill in the Arctic Refuge.”
Nancy Pelosi added “Going right up to Christmas, to the last day, giveaways to their oil and gas friends, drilling in the ANWR, and they will taint the Department of Defense appropriations bill to do so.”
What a bunch of whiners. It’s about time that these environmental extremists are called on their hostility towards providing for the production of natural gas for our homes and gas for our cars. Do they think that oil fields are found in rural Minnesota and South Dakota? These Democrats know that alternative fuels won’t be enough to sustain us but they’re opposed to new drilling sites.
Of course, this can all be cleared up with another gang of 14 type arrangement that guarantees that a standalone ANWR drilling bill won’t get filibustered. Debate the bill over a reasonable period of time, then guarantee a vote. If these Democratic extremists won’t agree to that, use this against them next November when we can remind voters that Democrats proved that they didn’t care about the high cost of heating a home because they wouldn’t allow an up or down vote on drilling in ANWR.
I also hope that the White House puts alot of pressure on red state Democrats seeking re-election on this issue. It’s vital that we increase production ASAP and if these ‘Red State Wobblers’ won’t help, then it’s time to turn the spotlight on them.
Cross-posted at LetFreedomRing