WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House voted Thursday to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but the move was primarily symbolic, since opponents in the Senate are certain to filibuster.
The vote was 225-201.
The debate preceding it came off like a play left too long on Broadway: entirely predictable and delivered with as much rehearsed passion as the players could summon. Pro-drilling lawmakers said the refuge could produce a significant amount of oil that would lessen our dependence on foreign sources. The opponents said America has to break its oil addiction because ANWR would do very little to satisfy demand.
"This is like addressing the pimple on the cheek of an elephant," said Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., "when the problem is the whole elephant."
It was one of the few fresh lines in the script.
The bill could go to the Senate next, but Democrats there would undoubtedly block it, and Republicans don't appear to have the 60 votes they need to break a filibuster.
Contact reporter Liz Ruskin at lruskin@adn.com or call her in Washington at (202) 383-0007.
