ANWR rebuffed

The Senate today blocked the vote for cloture 56-44 with 40 Democrats, the Independent in the Senate (Jim Jeffords) and three Republicans. The move to insert ANWR drilling in the defense bill was a parliamentary maneuver that depended on Democrats fear of blocking the Defense appropriation bill which contained increases in pay for troops. The bill will be easily passed once the ANWR provision is removed.

The bill authorizing spending cuts for programs for the poor passed only with Cheney casting the deciding vote. In addition, 52 Senators signed a letter to Bill Frist asking for a 3-month extension to the Patriot Act while the two most controversial parts are debated to assuage fears of intrusion into civil liberties.