Advocates for and against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge intensified their lobbying efforts as the Senate prepared to vote today on a budget resolution that authorizes development.

Debate began last night on the "must pass" resolution, which only needs a majority vote to pass. With Republicans outnumbering Democrats 55 to 45, the vote is expected to be especially close.

Inupiat Eskimos who own land within ANWR support development. They stand to gain financially through jobs and revenues from oil and gas drilling.

The Gwich'in Nation opposes development. The tribe depends on caribou in ANWR that it fears will be harmed if drilling is allowed.

Get the Story:
Close Senate Vote Shapes Up On Drilling in Wildlife Refuge (The Washington Post 3/16)
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Key vote is likely today on ANWR (The Anchorage Daily News 3/16)
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ANWR showdown today in Senate (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 3/16)
Drilling in refuge expected (The Houston Chronicle 3/16)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Norton wrong about drilling in ANWR (3/15)
Gale Norton: Drilling in ANWR won't hurt environment (3/14)
Stevens 'depressed' over ANWR drilling fight (3/14)
House, Senate differ on ANWR energy legislation (3/10)
GOP to include ANWR drilling in budget measure (3/9)
Arctic drilling a sensitive issue for Inupiat Eskimos (3/7)
Senate Republicans optimistic on ANWR drilling (12/16)
GOP says it has votes to authorize ANWR drilling (11/05)
Bush administration prepares for second term (11/04)
Bruce Babbitt: Arctic drilling would harm Inupiats (07/08)
House Republican drop bid to open ANWR to drilling (06/17)
House Republicans push two energy bills through (6/16)
Alaska to open ANWR shores to oil and gas drilling (04/01)
Alaska Native mayor decries spread of development (02/13)
Norton approves development in Alaska reserve (01/23)
Norton wants to drill more than ANWR (11/04)
ANWR opponent named AFN's top citizen (10/28)
House negotiators approve ANWR proposal (10/03)
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Senate approves energy bill (4/26)
Work wraps up on energy bill (4/25)
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Senate rejects ANWR drilling proposal (4/19)
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Votes for ANWR said lacking (4/18)
ANWR proposals offered(4/17)
Editorial: Norton's ANWR video (4/17)
ANWR swing votes sought (4/16)
Norton defends use of pro-ANWR video (4/12)
ANWR amendment delayed in Senate (4/12)
Hussein threat sparks ANWR plea (4/11)
Burns says caribou impact 'nil' (4/10)
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Gwich'in activist still at it (3/25)
Pros and Cons: Arctic Drilling (3/19)
Among Inupiat Eskimos, an 'injustice' (3/13)
Senate takes up energy bill (3/6)
Campbell: Drill ANWR (3/4)
For or against, Inupiats tied to off-shore drilling (11/2)
Inupiats press for oil drilling in ANWR (10/26)
ASRC supporting anti-drilling complaint (10/26)
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