Twenty-four House Republicans sign letter opposing Arctic drilling

From the Alaska Coalition and Republicans for Environmental Protection:

Congressmen Jim Ramstad and Mark Kennedy joined 22 of their fellow Republicans in publicly opposing any budget bill that authorizes drilling in America's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The 24 Congressmen co-signed a letter delivered to Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle (R-IA), who will ultimately decide whether Arctic Refuge drilling revenues are included in the House version of the federal budget this year. The letter specifically calls on Representative Nussle and the Committee to "promote a common Republican agenda for energy and fiscal responsibility."

"This letter underscores that Arctic Refuge drilling is a non-starter in Congress this year. Any attempt to bend the rules and force Arctic Refuge drilling into the budget process faces the same steadfast, bipartisan opposition that decisively rejected it last year," said Becky Rom, Chair of the Alaska Coalition of Minnesota. "If anything, opposition to drilling has gained strength since last December."

Drilling in America's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has become an increasingly controversial issue in recent years and has developed into a stumbling block to any legislation it is attached to. Last year, the American people and a bipartisan coalition in Congress decisively rejected Arctic Refuge drilling despite backdoor attempts to include it in both the budget bill and the defense appropriations bill.

Congressmen Gutknecht and Kline: Where do you stand on this issue?