Dear Wild Alaska Advocates,

Here is an update on where things stand with the Arctic Refuge vote. We lost the battle, but are winning the war! With 30 Republicans voting against this bill even with high gas prices, etc. Please see below a list of how the Upper Midwest Representatives voted - Please also take a moment to call these offices and Thank! or spank them for their votes.

Capitol SWITCHBOARD LINE: 202-224-3121 - you will be directed to correct office per your address.

All said and done, HR 5429, a bill to allow oil and gas activities in the Arctic Refuge, offered by House Resources Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA), passed on the floor today by a vote of 225-201.

The good news is that the final vote had 201 NO votes, more than in the past -- even with higher gas prices. Also, 30 Republicans voted against HR 5429, meaning we picked up some votes in this body.

This bill is unlikely to go anywhere in the Senate. As many of you may recall, the defense appropriations bill was filibustered at the end of 2005 when Sen. Stevens attempted to include Arctic Refuge drilling. This being a straight-up Arctic Refuge bill, it has much less leverage in the Senate. If it does come up it is open to another filibuster.

Budget Bill update: The Budget Bill is still waiting for final action, as you recall it has passed the Senate with drilling language included, passed the House with no drilling (in fact specific language that states that NO revenues will be derived from drilling the the Arctic Natl Wildlife Refuge), it is waiting for Conference Committee action. This may be a threat if the Senate conferees try to re-insert language at this stage. Please stay tuned!!

Thank you all for your help - once again - to reach Congress and convince them that drilling in our last pristine wild lands is not the answer to future energy needs. When will Congress get the message that we need clean, renewable, solutions for our future energy needs??

Thanks AGAIN!

Lois Norrgard
Regional Organizer
Alaska Coalition
10368 Columbus Circle
Bloomington MN 55420
ph/fx: 952.881-7282
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BAD - voting for the Bill

MN - Gutknecht (R), Peterson (D), Kline (R)

IA - Nussle (R), King (R), Latham (R)

GOOD VOTES AGAINST FINAL PASSAGE - These offices need our Thanks!

SD - Herseth (D)

ND - Pomeroy (D)

MN - Oberstar (D), Kennedy (R), Ramstad (R), McCollum (D), Sabo (D)

IA - Leach (R), Boswell (D)