Joe Lieberman: “I rise to register, in the strongest possible terms, my objection to the inclusion of provisions authorizing oil and gas…”

“I rise to register, in the strongest possible terms, my objection to the inclusion of provisions authorizing oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve in the Department of Defense Appropriations conference report. I find it outrageous--and unacceptable--that after failing in their budget reconciliation ploy to open the Arctic wilderness to oil drilling, drilling proponents would now try to tamper with the Defense spending bill at a time when we have troops in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is bad policy and dragging this controversy into the Senate's conscientious efforts to ensure that our military effort is adequately funded at a time of war does not do right by our fighting men and women. It is equally outrageous that drilling proponents are attempting to exploit the Katrina-relief package included in the bill. Congress has an obligation to care for the victims of that devastating natural disaster and our fellow citizens deserve better than to have congressional efforts to provide for their needs undercut by such a desperate procedural scheme. ____________________”