Arctic Refuge amendment fails
That means we lost. The final vote is currently being disputed, it's either 51-49 "nay" on the amendment, or 52-48 "nay" [the former seems to be what the final tally was].
Several Democrats voted against Senator Maria Cantwell's amendment, including Senators Inouye and Akaka from Hawaii, as well as Senator Landrieu from Lousiana.
With their support, the amendment would have passed. These Democrats must be taken to task for their betrayal of the environment.
There will be opportunities to reverse course and prevent drilling. Proponents always have a difficult time getting an agenda passed because a democracy offers so many steps for opponents to get in the way and block it.
Nevertheless, today's vote was irresponsible and inexcusable. It's a threat to broader prosperity and a better future. Akaka, Inouye, and Landrieu apparently care more about money for their states than they do about preserving the sanctity of one of the last untouched wildernesses in America.
We will keep on fighting to prevent drilling from happening. And one of the key steps will be to win back lost seats in 2006.
Several Democrats voted against Senator Maria Cantwell's amendment, including Senators Inouye and Akaka from Hawaii, as well as Senator Landrieu from Lousiana.
With their support, the amendment would have passed. These Democrats must be taken to task for their betrayal of the environment.
There will be opportunities to reverse course and prevent drilling. Proponents always have a difficult time getting an agenda passed because a democracy offers so many steps for opponents to get in the way and block it.
Nevertheless, today's vote was irresponsible and inexcusable. It's a threat to broader prosperity and a better future. Akaka, Inouye, and Landrieu apparently care more about money for their states than they do about preserving the sanctity of one of the last untouched wildernesses in America.
We will keep on fighting to prevent drilling from happening. And one of the key steps will be to win back lost seats in 2006.
