WASHINGTON, DC -- Senator Susan Collins is strongly urging Senate leadership to exclude from an important defense spending bill a provision that would allow oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Senator Collins, who is a long time opponent of drilling in ANWR and voted against the budget reconciliation legislation earlier this year, which included the ANWR provision, argues that it would be highly inappropriate to include such a provision in the spending measure.
In a letter to Senate Leadership that was also signed by a bipartisan group of her colleagues, the Senators wrote:
“We understand that the Department of Defense Appropriations conference report may include legislation allowing oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. While our individual views may differ on this major energy and environmental policy matter, we strongly object to including such a controversial provision in this conference report since this provision is so clearly and significantly outside the scope of this conference.
“Securing funding for our Nation’s military and national security must be the priority in this important conference report that supports the well-being of our troops.
“We believe including this provision in the Department of Defense Appropriations conference report would violate Senate rules, and we strongly urge you to oppose any effort to permit its inclusion.”
The Defense Appropriations bill is scheduled to be considered by the full Senate on Wednesday.