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"We believe the debate on opening this unique land to oil and gas exploration should be done outside the budget process," says the group led by Rep. Jeb Bradley, R-NH (full text below)

House Republicans Oppose ANWR Drilling Provision In Budget

August 11, 2005 11:00 a.m. EST

Yvonne Lee - All Headline News Staff Reporter

Washington, DC (AHN) – Two dozen House Republicans are opposing the inclusion of a provision in the budget that authorizes oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.

They sent a letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-IL saying 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," says the group led by Rep. Jeb Bradley, R-NH, in an Aug. 4 letter made public Wednesday.

The letter also was sent to Budget Committee Chairman James Nussle, R-Iowa, and Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo, R-CA. Pombo strongly supports opening the 1.5 million acre coastal plain of the Alaska refuge to oil development.

Under congressional rules, drilling could be authorized if the Resource Committee decides to rely on an expected $2.4 billion from potential oil lease sales in the refuge to meet budget targets.

The House has repeatedly approved ANWR drilling in recent years only to have the matter die in the Senate where opponents have used filibusters to block the legislation. The budget reconciliation document, which has the force of law if approved and signed by President Bush, is not subject to filibuster.