Senate backs drilling in ANWR

Drilling for more oil will do NOTHING to help us get off the oil addiction but the Republicans continue to accommodate the oil industry. U.S. Senate backs oil drilling in Alaskan refuge 03 Nov Source: Reuters WASHINGTON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to allow oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, barely rejecting a Democratic-led attempt to strike the controversial plan from a budget bill. Drilling supporters said developing the refuge's 10.4 billion barrels of crude would raise $2.4 billion in leasing fees for the government, reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil imports and create thousands of American jobs. However, opponents said there was not enough oil in the refuge to lower gasoline prices significantly, and what crude is there would not get to the market for at least a decade. They also warned drilling would threaten ANWR's wildlife, which incudes migratory birds, polar bears and caribou. The Senate voted 48 (yes) to 51 (no) on an amendment to remove the ANWR provision from the budget bill. The Senate is expected to approve this week the overall federal budget-cutting bill. The House of Representatives may vote as early as next week on its budget legislation, which would also give oil companies access to ANWR. It remains far from clear, however, if a final version of the budget-cutting package -- which includes items ranging from farm subsidy limits to cuts in food stamps and Medicaid -- will be approved by both chambers.