Pennsylvania Republican Senators Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum both
effectively voted for opening up ANWR to drilling, by voting to cut
off a Democratic filibuster. However, the Senate voted overall to
allow the filibuster by Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and Senator
Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.
The filibuster prevented the conclusion of a debate over the drilling
issue as a part of a federal energy reform package. 60 votes would
have been needed to pass the amendment, but the vote was 54 to 46
against drilling.
Proponents of oil exploration in Alaska say the region represents
an opportunity to reduce dependence on foreign sources of oil. Opponents
argue the need to protect the region's pristine wilderness, instead
pushing for the use of alternative sources of energy such as wind
and solar power.
|
