WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the House Resources and Energy and Commerce Committees, applauded the decision of 44 Senators to stand up and stop Republican attempts to violate Senate rules by adding a provision authorizing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a non-germane legislative rider to the defense appropriations conference report. The Arctic Refuge drilling provision was added to the conference report at the eleventh hour, when neither the House nor Senate-passed bills contained the provision. Republicans were unable to obtain the 60 votes needed to obtain cloture on the measure. 

“It is reprehensible that the Republican leadership has attempted to hold much needed funding for our troops, aid to the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and low-income home heating assistance hostage in an attempt to blackmail the Congress to force oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,” said Rep. Markey. “The Republican leadership has already failed on numerous occasions this congress in their attempts to open up this pristine wildlife refuge and now they have stooped to breaking the rules and bogging down funding for our troops by attaching this can’t-pass drilling measure to this must-pass defense bill.”

“I commend my colleagues in the Senate who have stood up against this despicable action on the part of the Republican leadership,” continued Rep. Markey. “The controversial debate over drilling in the Arctic Refuge never belonged as part of the defense appropriations bill and it is unconscionable that the Republicans in Congress would attempt to break the rules in such a manner in a last, desperate attempt to force its passage,” said Markey.  “I am extraordinarily thankful to all my colleagues who have continued the fight to preserve this pristine and unique wilderness area.”