Showdown Vote Approaches on Arctic Drilling

By Richard Simon Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON — With a showdown vote as early as today, President Bush (news – web sites) appears closer than ever to achieving a goal at the core of his efforts to increase the nation’s energy production: opening an Alaskan wildlife refuge to drilling for oil and natural gas.
Senate filibusters have blocked Bush’s proposal in the past. But last year, four pro-drilling Republicans were elected, replacing anti-drilling Democrats in the Senate. Now the chamber’s GOP leaders say they are confident they have the votes to advance the measure, long one of Capitol Hill’s most contentious environmental matters.

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