By using the budget bill primarily as a vehicle for Arctic Refuge drilling, the Senate has dropped any pretense of working to balance the budget or reduce the deficit. The Senate is treating the budget process as a joke and a special interest gravy boat.

If we had put (Arctic drilling) in the bill, we wouldn't be here.

This fight against drilling in the Arctic Refuge is a fight about our principles. It’s about standing up for our environment, our families and our future, and I won’t give up this fight.

We applaud those in Congress who have refused to let drilling proponents manipulate them and the democratic process. Although there are some still willing to do Big Oil?s bidding, the drilling lobby and their allies will be hard-pressed to keep Arctic drilling in the budget knowing that it is dead on arrival in the House.

He gets credit in having turned Bill Clinton into a real believer on climate change. Bush has said he needs to be judged by Texas, and if you judge him by Texas, the record is appalling.

We are particularly pleased that many of them have already warned leadership against trying to put Arctic drilling back into the legislation in conference with the Senate.