Joe Lieberman: “Mr. President, this debate about the proposal to drill for oil in the Arctic Refuge has been simmering for a long time…”

“Mr. President, this debate about the proposal to drill for oil in the Arctic Refuge has been simmering for a long time, and it has finally been joined in this Chamber over the last 2 days. It has been a good, spirited debate. I have great respect for those who are proponents of drilling, particularly my two colleagues and friends from Alaska. I never question their sincerity. We have a good-faith difference point of view. Let me try, if I can, for a few moments to summarize what I believe are our arguments against drilling and then talk about where I hope we go after we have voted on these cloture motions. First, we are talking about 5 percent of the North Slope in Alaska. Ninety-five percent is now open for oil exploration and development. A lot of it is happening now. A lot of it is planned. This 5 percent is the heart of a thriving, beautiful ecosystem described by someone as the American Serengeti. The question is, Do we want to disrupt it, develop on it, some would say destroy its natural state--I would say that--for the oil that we could get out of it? And would that development for oil affect the health of that beautiful part of Alaska? I contend and we have contended in this debate that the development of the refuge as proposed in the pending amendments would irreversibly damage this natural treasure.”