ACT NOW TO KEEP ARCTIC OUT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS: VOTES EXPECTED WEDNESDAY Right now we are doing everything possible to get Arctic drilling pulled out of the DOD bill. Call Your Senators Now to fight for honest debate save the Arctic Refuge. Senator Charles Grassley: (202) 224-3744 or (515) 288-1145 Senator Tom Harkin: (202) 224-3254 or (515) 284-4574 And SIGN the Cantwell Petition at http://www.cantwell.com/ After failed attempts to include Arctic Refuge drilling in the budget reconciliation, pro-drilling legislators have attached a drilling provision to the Defense Department funding bill. The House passed its version of the measure early Monday; the Senate could vote at any time. ASK your Senators to remove Arctic drilling from the Defense Appropriations bill. A vote for the Arctic is not a vote against the nation's military. If Senator Johnson supports a filibuster to remove the Arctic drilling from the defense bill, it will have no effect -- none -- on U.S. troops in Iraq. Instead, congressional leaders will strip the Arctic provision from the defense bill, hold a quick conference and send it back to the House and Senate for passage, with no impact on the military's finances. Senator Stevens himself stated that he could easily go back to conference and remove the Arctic drilling provision from the appropriations package. Polls show that people here strongly oppose Arctic drilling and understand it will not reduce fuel prices or lead the nation any closer to energy independence. The Arctic Refuge is an environmental icon for good reason. ASK your Senator to do whatever it takes including filibuster to remove Arctic drilling out of the DOD bill. Senator Cantwell has stood up to Stevens and is fighting to get the Arctic out of the DOD appropriations bill. Please support her efforts by signing her online petition. http://www.cantwell.com/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]