Twenty-five Republicans, led by Rep. Charles Bass (R) of New Hampshire, signed a letter asking GOP leaders to strike the Alaskan drilling provision from the broader $54 billion budget cut bill.
"Rather then reversing decades of protection for this publicly held land, focusing greater attention on renewable energy sources, alternate fuels, and more efficient systems and appliances would yield more net energy savings than could come from ANWR and would have a higher benefit on the nation's long-term economic leadership and security," they said.
The moderates knew they had leverage, given the narrow margin of GOP control of the House. It only takes 14 Republican defections to scuttle a bill, assuming every Democrat opposes it."
After yrs of being sticking his pansy-ass up to Bush and DeLay, A certain NH congressman must finally realize that he is doomed in 2006 to tying his star to the Conservatives. If only he had the courage and conviction to speak up before now. Another year of speaking up might even make him and his "moderate" colleagues barely credible again.