Phyllis, Below is the reply I got from Nussle on my latest phone call about drilling in the Arctic Refuge. Is what they are discussing now, the budget for 2007? March 20, 2006 Mr. Gerald M. Neff 18144 242nd Avenue PO Box 239 Pleasant Valley, Iowa 52767 Dear Jerry: Thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). It was good to hear from you, and I welcome this opportunity to respond. You shared your support for keeping ANWR out of the budget process. As Chairman of the House Budget Committee, I appreciate learning your views on this issue. As you may know, I have been serving as Budget Committee Chairman for the past five years. During this time, I have worked to create fiscally responsible budgets that advance our nation's priorities, while meeting Iowa's needs. As you may know, the budgets I have drafted for previous fiscal years have not included directives concerning the management of ANWR. Congress approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 budget on February 1, 2006 and it became law with the President's signature on February 8. You may be interested to know that this budget reform bill did not open ANWR for drilling. Jerry, it is my honor and privilege to serve as Chairman of the House Budget Committee. I do not take this responsibility lightly. Please be assured I will keep your thoughts in mind as Congress considers the President's budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2007. Thank you again for contacting me. My best information comes from Iowans. By going to www.nussle.house.gov, you can e-mail your comments to me, be added to my email update list and learn more about the work I do in Congress. Sincerely, Jim Nussle Member of Congress You may not reply directly to this email. To reply to this message or to send me an email, please go to http://www.nussle.house.gov/email.htm - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]