"I think today's accomplishment is a big one for Alaskans but it's a huge one for the country," Sen. Lisa Murkowski said after an earlier vote Thursday on an amendment that would have deleted ANWR the bill. The Senate defeated that amendment 51-48. Murkowski recited the arguments for drilling in the refuge: more American jobs, less dependence on foreign oil, and a commitment to protect the Arctic environment.

Both votes were largely along party lines.

Sen. Ted Stevens noted that the bill still has hurdles to clear. The House has to pass its version of the bill, and then a conference committee must resolve the differences between the two. Both chambers must then vote on the final bill before it goes to the president for his signature.

The House could pass its version of the bill next week. That bill, which also has a section that would allow drilling in ANWR, cleared the House Budget Committee Thursday.

Brian Moore, legislative director of the Alaska Wilderness League, said Thursday's ANWR vote did not surprise or worry him.

"I'm confident, 100 percent, that in the end we're going to prevail," he said. ANWR will sink the budget reconciliation bill in the House, he predicted.

The House has repeatedly passed bills in recent years that would open the refuge to drilling, but they were energy bills.

"It's different vote on the budget," said Moore.

He cited comments this week from Iowa Rep. Jim Nussle, chairman of the House Budget Committee, who said he is concerned ANWR may derail the bill in the House.

The House bill makes nearly $54 billion in cuts over five years. Among them: $14 billion from student loan programs; $12 billion from Medicaid, the insurance program for poor people; $844 million from food stamps by tightening eligibility rules.

The Senate bill would make $39 billion in cuts over five years.