By OGJ editors
WASHINGTON, DC, Dec. 19 -- The US House of Representatives has passed a defense appropriations bill with a section approving oil and gas leasing of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain.
After an all-night session, the House voted 308-106 early Dec. 19 to pass a compromise defense spending bill approved earlier in a House-Senate conference. The Senate will take up the defense bill later this week.
Senate opponents of ANWR leasing promised to filibuster the bill.
Leasing opponents from both houses complained about having to vote on the controversial measure as part of a bill provides funding for troops in Iraq and other popular causes, including prevention of bird flu and hurricane reconstruction.
