[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 162 (Friday, December 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S13769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

  Mr. President, I wish to quickly comment on another matter of vital 
importance to the country. It appears that the majority is strongly 
considering whether to hold our troops hostage at a time of war in 
order to sneak in a last minute special interest rider that cannot be 
passed within the Senate's rules. Senate Democrats support the Defense 
appropriations conference report, but it would be an egregious abuse of 
power on behalf of the oil and gas industry to allow the thing we call 
ANWR to violate the Senate rules and attach a special interest 
provision in this legislation. Because Republicans cannot get the 
support for this provision in the House, the Senate would be asked to 
violate our rules so that the majority can reward its friends in the 
oil and gas industry.
  We had procedures in the Senate where we lost on ANWR. It was placed 
in a bill called reconciliation. The House stripped it out. We did not. 
Let us play by the rules.
  I do not support ANWR. It is the most important issue in America to 
the environmental community. There is no issue more important than 
ANWR. It is a sign of what this country is all about environmentally. 
If the majority proceeds along this course and is permitted to abuse 
its power and run roughshod over the Senate rules, there will be no 
prohibition against exceeding the scope of conference on any conference 
report. To further show the cynicism of people who are pushing this, 
they are telling people: Do not worry about it, we will violate the 
rules today, change precedent, and we will change them right back 
tomorrow.
  This is an abuse of power. It would have far-reaching consequences 
for this body. It would be a huge mistake for the Senate and the 
American people. We can do better than that. Let us have a fair fight 
where we have winners and losers. That is the way ANWR was done. I was 
disappointed when that was lost, but it was lost fairly and squarely. 
Do not violate the rules. That is what I tell my friends on the other 
side.
  We realize that with the 45 votes we have, we cannot do it on our 
own. We need help from people of good will on the other side of the 
aisle. There are people who believe as fervently in this environmental 
standard as I do, and I would call upon them to vote their conscience, 
to do what is right for this body and do what is right for this 
country. This is a procedural vote that makes the Senate different from 
any legislative body in the history of the world. The Senate is the 
greatest deliberative body in the history of the world. Do not be 
playing fast and loose with the rules that govern this Senate.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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