ANWR Drilling Passes in Senate

By 51 to 49, Republicans defeated an amendment that would have stripped the Appropriations act of language authorizing oil drilling in a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  As the larger act cannot be filibustered, this probably means that the pro-drilling folk have finally won. Thune voted Nay (to keep the support for drilling in the bill).  Johnson voted Yeah (to prevent drilling). See roll call of vote.