|
U.S. Senate: ANWR legislation gets moment in the sun ANWR detaches from railroad retirement bill, but stays on tracks — looking for the engine that could: Estimated time of arrival? — 2002 By Steve Sutherlin PNA Managing Editor
Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is unlikely to be approved this year, Roger Herrera told PNA Dec. 4. However ANWR did get a moment in the sun Dec. 3. Senators Frank Murkowski and Ted Stevens were able to address the Senate prior to a vote to attach the House-passed energy security bill HR4 to a railroad retirement bill. But the amendment also included a six-month emergency ban on cloning. The unlikely combination would certainly affect the outcome of any Senate vote on the issues, Herrera said.
“What affect? That’s the $64,000 question. Mixing ANWR with cloning and with the railroad retirement bill was a problem because senators could vote three different ways without indicating what they are voting for.”
The energy policy-ban on cloning amendment was defeated 94 to 1. It was unlikely to pass so supporters voted against it, Herrera said.
“We did a Dunkirk-like withdrawal and got the troops out of there,” He said. “Better to withdraw from the battlefield, and live to fight another day.”
Herrera is not sure whose idea it was to attach cloning and ANWR to the railroad retirement bill. The amendment seemed to generate from the office of Sen. Trent Lott, Herrera said, adding that Murkowski told him the caucus had demanded it.
There are a number of theories about how the strategy was going to help ANWR, but they’re academic now, Herrera said.
Attach-to-anything strategy Once energy and cloning were removed, Daschle was able to substitute his own version of the railroad retirement bill, but that does not constitute a defeat for ANWR. The bottom line is that energy discussion took place on the Senate floor.
It’s an understatement to say that pro-ANWR senators are frustrated with Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle — so much so that they’re considering literally annoying him to death, Herrera said. In the face of Daschle’s energy maneuverings the only short-term strategy for pro-ANWR forces is brutish in its simplicity and impact.
“Attach an energy bill to anything Daschle brings up. It’s a war of attrition. With enough pain, perhaps Daschle will concede and give in to a discussion in return for calling off the dogs.”
Herrera said it is doubtful that Murkowski will follow through on earlier warnings that he would hold up legislation until energy is addressed; taking advantage of the fact the Daschle is under pressure to break by Dec. 15. Holding senators from the Christmas break could make Murkowski and ANWR unpopular.
Anthrax closures limit contact Herrera said Anthrax closures of Senate offices have made it difficult to stay in touch with senators on the ANWR issue.
“It has to be understood that for the past six weeks it has been impossible for us to talk one on one with most of the senators,” Herrera said in a Dec. 5 statement. “The closure of the Hart Building and the outlawing of mail to Senate offices has taken away our main tools of operating. We far outgun our opponents at face-to-face meetings with senators where maximum education can be practiced and great influence achieved.
“However, being human, senators need constant repeats of such meetings, otherwise their attention wanders onto other subjects and they tend to lose their zeal for energy.”
Democratic energy bill Daschle came out with a Democratic version of an energy bill Dec. 4 that doesn’t contain a provision to drill in ANWR. Daschle’s bill commits more money for research and development than HR4, Herrera said, adding that perhaps the country can’t afford additional expenditures at this time.
Daschle also introduced the global warming issue to his proposed bill, a party political issue rather than an environmental issue, Herrera said.
| 