(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Mark Udall (D-Eldorado Springs), who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Resources Committee, released the following statement expressing his strong opposition to including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the Defense Appropriations Act of 2006:
“It is outrageous to make essential funding for the armed forces dependent on any domestic policy issue, particularly at a time of war. Because the Republican leadership knows they cannot win a clean vote on drilling in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, they have attempted to make supplying our troops a hostage to their failed energy policies.
“This is an outrageous attempt to divide the country. Our brave men and women in uniform should not be held hostage, and Congress should decide the refuge’s future management on its own merits.”