Coleman votes against ANWR filibuster, then votes no on drilling

12/22/2005

WASHINGTON — Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., is defending his votes during debate over a defense bill.

Coleman voted with Republicans in trying to prevent a threatened filibuster that stripped an Alaskan oil drilling provision from the bill. Then after the bill was reconsidered, he voted to take out the provision to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Senate then passed the bill and sent it to the House.

Coleman voted to break the Democratic filibuster, saying the defense bill that funds troops deserved an up-or-down vote.

That angered environmental groups who say Coleman pledged to oppose drilling in the refuge. But Coleman says he lived up to his commitment to prohibit drilling by then voting to remove the provision.