Using Budget to Allow Alaska Drilling Opposed

Two dozen House Republicans, including three committee chairmen, have asked Speaker J. Dennis Hastert not to use a congressional budget procedure to clear the way for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

They said in a letter to Hastert (R-Ill.) that the budget process “is an inappropriate venue to be debating this important environmental issue” and warned that it would further complicate already difficult budget issues.

“We believe the debate on opening this unique land to oil and gas exploration should be done outside the budget process,” said the group, led by Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-N.H.).