Call Harkin & Grassley today!
 
THE FATE OF THE ARCTIC REFUGE WILL BE DECIDED IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS
Arctic drilling included in Defense Appropriations bill
 
BACKGROUND:
We have been in touch before about the threat that Arctic drilling
provisions would be added to the budget reconciliation bill.  Through
your good work, and against tremendous pro-drilling forces, it now
appears that those forces will not be able to add Arctic drilling to the
budget.
 
However, there is virtually no limit to what they will try in order to
achieve their special interest goal.  In a last minute effort to pass
widely opposed legislation, Senators led by Senator Stevens from Alaska
slipped Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling language onto the
Defense Appropriations (spending) bill.  This cynical back-door maneuver
by pro-drilling politicians is nothing but a desperate attempt to hold
the legislative process hostage to their misguided agenda.  It is
particularly outrageous given that this is the bill that funds our troops
in a time of war.
 
Obviously, the Defense Appropriations bill is neither the venue in which
to decide controversial policy issues, nor the venue to approve a scheme
that would forever spoil a national treasure.  This legislation is
intended to support our men and woman in uniform and should not be
hijacked by those who are pushing drilling in the Arctic Refuge.
 
TAKE ACTION:
Please call your Senators immediately and express your strong opposition
and outrage to this scheme to force Arctic Refuge drilling into Defense
Appropriations bill.  Urge your Senators to do everything in their power
to stop the drilling lobby from hijacking the Defense spending bill.
 
VICTORY:
Just two days ago a major victory was won for our public lands when
Congressional leaders agreed to drop a mining provision from the budget
reconciliation bill.  The provision would have put millions of acres of
public lands up for sale, including parks, wildlife refuges, national
monuments, and wilderness areas.  This is a major victory for the
conservation legacy of our nation and would not have been possible
without your constant voice of opposition.
 

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