Statement of Athan Manuel, Arctic Wilderness Campaign Director

Today’s vote to strike Arctic Refuge drilling language from the Department of Defense appropriation bill is a huge win for America’s Arctic and for the American public. Americans strongly oppose drilling in the Arctic Refuge, and this week they have made their voices heard and beaten back perhaps the most cynical attempt yet to drill in one of America’s last wild places.

We hope that Senator Stevens will finally learn from this vote - Americans want to see the Arctic Refuge protected, not plundered.

U.S. PIRG commends Senators Maria Cantwell, Harry Reid and Dick Durbin, who led the filibuster to stop drilling, along with Senators John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, and the other Senators who voted against this shameful power play by Senator Stevens and the Bush Administration.