[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 168 (Thursday, December 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            H.R. 2863--DOD APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE REPORT

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 22, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the removal of a 
provision from the Department of Defense Appropriation bill that would 
have allowed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). 
This pristine wilderness area deserves to be protected, and 
furthermore, a Defense Appropriations bill was an entirely 
inappropriate vehicle to use to attempt to approve drilling in ANWR. 
For those and other reasons, I opposed passage of H.R. 2863 on December 
19, 2005.
  I am greatly pleased, however, that the Senate rejected the inclusion 
of the ANWR language, and removed the rider from this important 
appropriations bill. I still have grave concerns over several 
provisions still included in H.R. 2863, however, when it is passed into 
law our brave soldiers will get the resources they need to do the job 
overseas and return home safely as quickly as possible.

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