Senator Murkowski Discusses Next Steps for ANWR, Highway Priorities

SENATOR MURKOWSKI DISCUSSES NEXT STEPS FOR ANWR, HIGHWAY BILL PRIORITIES

At a press conference with Alaska reporters today, Senator Lisa Murkowski explained the next steps toward final passage of ANWR legislation. Yesterday, the Senate voted to keep expected revenue from oil and gas leasing in ANWR in the FY 06 Budget Resolution.

"We had a good day yesterday. The fact of the matter is we did win a very significant victory yesterday by keeping the ANWR provision in the budget resolution," Sen. Murkowski said. "As I was explaining to my kids last night - it's like staying in a tournament. In order to participate in the championship game and win at the end of the day, you've got to be winning every step of the way - you've got to stay in the game. And right now ANWR is still in the game in terms of being considered as part of that budget resolution."

Murkowski explained that the most immediate hurdle is whether or not the Congress will agree to a budget resolution this year. "There is still some question as to whether or not we will be successful [and pass] the budget - I believe that we will be [successful]," Murkowski said. She explained that following the adoption of the Senate budget resolution, which is expected to occur by the end of the week, the Senate must go through the conference process with the House of Representative's budget resolution. Assuming that the final budget resolution also contains ANWR legislation, the Senate Energy Committee will have until June 5 to draw up legislation for leasing in ANWR. Both the House and Senate must then pass budget reconciliation bills to implement the ANWR legislation. A final budget reconciliation conference report containing ANWR legislation from both the Senate and the House energy committees must be adopted and signed by the President - this is likely to take place this summer.

Murkowski noted that there will continue to be strong opposition to ANWR. "At any point in time in this process there could again be an effort to strip the ANWR provision from what is being considered… I think its going to be a significant battle. We have been up against a well funded group of committed organizations. Sen. [John] Kerry (D-MA) was sending around emails just yesterday asking for emergency donations to save ANWR."

Also yesterday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) passed the Federal Highway Re-Authorization Bill. For Alaska, this bill is similar to the legislation the Committee passed last Congress. Murkowski, who sits on the EPW Committee, said that her focus continues to be increased funding for rural roads and the ferry system in Alaska. Murkowski said that she feels good about the chances of moving forward with her requests.

"I think [the chances] are relatively good…all you need to do is show my colleagues the road system in Alaska. You've got one road going up one road going down and a connector in the middle. It is recognized that we are woefully inadequate when it comes to our transportation infrastructure. The chairman [of the EPW Committee] understands our needs and I'm optimistic about what is in the bill," Murkowski said.

http://murkowski.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=234095