Once More Into the Breach

Both houses of Congress are working, as we speak, on budget legislation that will - among other harmful things - open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration and consequent drilling. Polls have shown that a strong majority of American citizens are against this action, but the oil lobby in Congress would appear to be more influential than the desires of citizens. See this article in the WaPo (thank you Neil) for more information on the current budget session.

An email from the NRDC yesterday asks for help in funding an ad blitz in three states whose members are wavering on this vote:

The House of Representatives will vote as early as next week on a budget bill that would sacrifice the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to massive oil development and destruction.

We can win this showdown in Congress, but we must secure the votes of three more moderate Republicans: Representatives Jim Gerlach (PA), David Reichert (WA), and Mark Kennedy (MN).

We urgently need your financial support to run hard-hitting ads targeting these three key Representatives in next Sunday's newspapers. Our three targeted Congressmen say they oppose drilling in the Arctic Refuge. But they are under tremendous pressure from President Bush and House leaders to do the bidding of Big Oil.

We cannot expect these Republican Congressmen to vote against their leadership unless they hear from thousands of their own constituents, demanding that they stand strong in defense of the Arctic Refuge.

If you live in one of the three states mentioned, please go here to view the ad, and if you feel so moved, to donate. Even if you can't donate - or even if you CAN - please phone, fax, email your representative and beg him/her to get on board to save the ANWR. Losing this by three votes would be a crying shame.

| +Save/Share | |